I  i 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTH 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyteiuan  Church 

In  the  United  States  of  America, 
WASHINGTON,    ID.    C,    IVIAY,    1803. 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN    THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

AGAINST 

THE  REV,   CHARLES  A,  BRIGGS.  D.  D, 


notice  of  appeal 


APPEAL  TO  TPIE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY   FROM   THE   FINAL  JUDG- 
MENT    OF    THE    PRESBYTERY    OF    NEW    YORK,    ENTERED 
JANUARY  9TH,  1893,  TOGETHER  WITH   THE   RECORD 
OF  ALL  PROCEEDINGS  HAD  IN  THE  PRESBYTERY 
OF  NEW  YORK   AS   SHOWN  BY  THE  MIN- 
UTES OF  THE  JUDICATORY  DURING 
THE   TRIAL   OF   THE  CASE. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 

Represented  by  GEORGE  W.  F.  BIRCH,  D.  D., 
JOSEPH  J.  LAMPE,  D.  D., 
ROBERT  F.  SAMPLE,  D.  D., 
JOHN  J.  STEVENSON, 
JOHN  J.  McCOOK. 


PROSBCUTING 
COMMirrHE, 


Appellant. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTH 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 

In  the  United  States  of  America, 
WASHINGTON,    D.    C,    MAY,    1883. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN   THE 
UNITED  STA  TES  OF  AMERICA 

AGAINST 

THE  REV.   CHARLES  A,  BRIG  OS,  D.  D, 


notice  of  APPEAL 


APPEAL  TO  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY   FROM  THE  FINAL  JUDG- 
MENT    OF    THE    PRESBYTERY    OF    NEW    YORK,   ENTERED 
JANUARY  9TH,  1893,  TOGETHER  WITH   THE   RECORD 
OF  ALL  PROCEEDINGS  HAD  IN  THE  PRESBYTERY 
OF  NEW  YORK  AS   SHOWN   BY  THE  MIN- 
UTES OF  THE  JUDICATORY  DURING 
THE   TRIAL   OF   THE  CASE. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 

Represented  by  GEORGE  W.  F.  BIRCH,  D.  D. 
JOSEPH  J.  LAMPE,  D.  D., 
ROBERT  F.  SAMPLE,  D.  D., 
JOHN  J.  STEVENSON, 
JOHN  J.  McCOOK. 


IKoSECirriNG 
COMMITTEE, 


Appellant. 


JOHN  C.  RANKIN  CO.,  PRINTERS, 
34  CORTLANDT  ST.,  NEW  YORK. 


New  Yoke,  January  18tli,  1893. 

To  the  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  D.  D., 

Stated  Cleric  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York. 

Dear  Sir: 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  represented  by  the  undersigned  Prosecuting 
Committee,  in  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  against  the  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.D.,  hereby  gives  written  notice  of  appeal,  with 
specifications  of  the  errors  alleged,  in  the  said  case,  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  to  meet  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  A.  D.  1893,  from  the 
decision  and  final  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  sitting  in  a  judicial  capacity,  given  on  the  ninth 
day  of  January,  1893.  The  grounds  of  this  appeal  and 
the  specifications  of  the  errors  alleged,  are  hereto  at- 
tached and  made  a  part  of  this  notice. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  represented  by 


GEORGE  W.  F.  BIRCH, 
JOSEPH  J.  LAMPE, 
ROBERT  F.  SAMPLE, 
JOHN  J.  STEVENSON, 
JOHN  J.  McCOOK, 


Prosecuting 
Committee, 

Appellant. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 

America 

against 

The  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D. 


Appeal  to  the  General  Assembly. 


New  York,  January  18th,  1893. 

To  THE  Venerable  the  G-eneral  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  Greeting  : 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  represented  by  the  undersigned  Prosecuting 
Committee,  in  the  case  of  the  said  Presbyterian  Church 
against  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  x) resents  the  fol- 
lowing Appeal  from  the  final  judgment  in  this  case,  ren- 
dered by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  on  the  ninth  day  of 
January,  1893,  with  the  grounds  therefor,  and  the  specifica- 
tions of  the  errors  alleged.  Believing  that  the  trial  of  the 
said  Dr.  Briggs  is  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  history 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  by  reason  of  the  dangerous 
errors  alleged  to  be  contained  in  the  Address  of  the  said 
Dr.  Briggs  at  his  inauguration  as  Professor  of  Biblical 
Theology  in  Union  Theological  Seminary,  delivered  on 
the  20th  day  of  January,  1891,  upon  which  Inaugural 
Address  charges  and  specifications  were  tabled  and 
prosecution,  in  compliance  with  Sections  10  and  11  of 
the  Book  of  Discipline,  was  initiated  by  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York  in  the  name  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America ;  and  believing  that  the 
distinct  and  definite  condemnation  of  those  alleged  errors, 
by  the  Supreme  Judicatory  of  the  said  Presbyterian 
Church,  is  necessary  in  order  to  prevent  their  spread  and 
influence  in  the  denomination ;  and,  while  having  the 
highest  respect  for  the  Synod  of  New  York,  believing  that 
a  special  responsibility  rests  upon  the  General  Assembly 


whicli  is  cliarged  with  the  duty  of  deciding  in  all  contro- 
versies respecting  doctrine  ;  of  reproving,  warning  or 
bearing  testimony  against  error  in  doctrine  in  any  Church, 
Presbytery  or  Synod,  and  in  cases  that  affect  or  concern 
the  promotion  of  truth  and  holiness  through  all  the 
Churches  under  its  care,  as  set  forth  in  Chapter  XII., 
Sections  IV.  and  Y.,  of  the  Form  of  Government ;  and  in 
view  of  the  desirableness  of  the  speediest  settlement  of 
this  most  important  case,  do  hereby  appeal  to  and 
request  your  Venerable  Body  to  enter  immediately  upon 
the  consideration  and  judicial  investigation  of  the  appeal 
hereby  presented,  to  issue  the  case,  and  to  finally  deter- 
mine the  important  questions  involved,  so  as  to  secure 
the  purity  and  the  peace  of  the  Church  at  the  earliest 
possible  day. 

In  the  further  prosecution  of  the  case  on  the  part  of  the 
said  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Appellant,  represented  by 
the  said  Prosecuting  Committee,  respectfully  sets  forth  : 

That  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1891,  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York  appointed  a  Committee  to  con- 
sider the  Inaugural  Address  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D.,  in  its  relation  to  the  Confession  of  Faith, 
and  that  on  May  eleventh,  A.  D.  1891,  the  said  Committee 
presented  to  said  Presbytery  a  report  which  was  accepted, 
and  its  recommendation,  "that  the  Presbytery  enter  at 
once  upon  the  judicial  investigation  of  the  case,"  was 
adopted  by  the  said  Presbytery,  and  thereupon  it  was 
^'Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  arrange 
and  prepare  the  necessary  proceedings  appropriate  in  the 
case  of  Dr.  Briggs";  and  the  Rev.  G.  W.  F.  Birch,  D.  D., 
Rev.  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Robert  F.  Sample, 
D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elders  John  J.  Stevenson  and  John  J. 
McCook  were  appointed  such  Committee  in  conformity 
with  the  provisions  of  Section  11  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline. 

That  after  the  initiation  of  the  prosecution  by  the  said 
Judicatory,  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  as  above  re- 
cited, the  said  Prosecuting  Committee  entered  upon  its 
duties. 


6 

That  as  said  prosecution  was  initiated  by  a  Judicatory 
and  not  by  individual  prosecutors,  in  compliance  with 
the  provisions  of  Section  10  of  the  Book  of  Discipline, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
became  the  prosecutor,  and  an  original  party  in  the 
case,  and  was  represented  by  the  said  Prosecuting  Com- 
mittee, which  said  Committee,  under  Section  11  of  the 
Book  of  Discipline,  was  charged  Avith  the  duty  of  conduct- 
ing the  prosecution  in  all  its  stages  in  whatever  judica- 
catory,  until  the  final  issue  be  reached. 

That  at  the  meeting  of  said  Presbytery,  held  on  the 
fifth  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1891,  the  said  Prosecuting 
Committee  presented  charges  and  specifications  in  the 
case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  against  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
which  were  read  in  the  presence  of  the  Judicatory,  and 
were  then  served  by  the  Moderator  upon  the  said  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D„  together  with  a  citation,  citing 
him'^to  appear  and  plead  to  the  said  charges  and  speci- 
fications at  a  meeting  of  the  said  Presbytery,  to  be  held 
on  November  fourth,  A.  D.  1891. 

That  after  said  charges  and  specifications  had  been 
presented  to  the  said  Presbytery  and  had  been  read,  the 
Presbytery  entertained  a  motion  made  by  the  Rev.  George 
Alexander,  D.  D.,  to  arrest  the  judicial  proceedings  and 
to  discharge  the  Prosecuting  Committee  from  further 
consideration  of  the  case,  as  follows  : 

"  Whereas,  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  at  its  meeting 
in  May  last,  on  account  of  utterances  contained  in  an 
inaugural  address  delivered  January  20th,  1891,  appointed 
a  Committee  to  formulate  charges  against  the  author  of 
that  address.  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  whereas, 
since  that  action  was  taken,  the  accused  has  supplemented 
those  utterances  by  responding  to  certain  categorical 
questions.     -^     -     ^ 

''  Therefore,  Mesolved,  that  Presbytery,  without  pro- 
nouncing on  the  sufficiency  of  these  later  declarations 
to  cover  all  the  points  concerning  which  the  accused 
has  been  called   in  question,  with  hearty  appreciation 


of  tlie  faithful  labors  of  the  Committee,  deems  it  expe- 
dient to  arrest  the  judicial  proceedings  at  this  point,  and 
hereby  discharges  the  Committee  from  further  con- 
sideration of  the  case." 

On  the  aforesaid  motion  to  dismiss  the  case,  as  expressed 
specifically  in  the  words  "  to  arrest  the  judicial  proceed- 
ings" and  "  hereby  discharges  the  Committee  from  fur- 
ther consideration  of  the  case,"  the  Presbytery  by  a  yea 
and  nay  vote  refused  to  adopt  the  above  resolution  and 
to  dismiss  the  case. 

That  on  the  said  fifth  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1891,  the  said 
Presbytery  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  fourth  day  of  No- 
vember, A.  D.  1891,  the  day  upon  which  the  said  citation 
was  made  returnable,  and  that  at  said  meeting  on  the 
fourth  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1891,  the  said  Presbytery- 
was  charged  as  a  Judicatory  in  accordance  with  Rule  XL. 
of  General  Rules  for  Judicatories,  and  thereupon  the  said 
Presbytery  proceeded  in  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  against  the  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D.,  and  the  said  Dr.  Briggs  then  pre- 
sented a  paper  purporting  to  be  objections  to  the  sufficiency 
of  the  said  charges  and  specifications  in  form  and  legal 
effect  ;  that  said  paper  was  largely  an  answer  to  said 
charges  or  an  argument  npon  the  merits  of  the  case,  and 
was  denominated  by  the  said  Dr.  Briggs  himself,  a  "  Re- 
sponse to  the  Charges  and  Specifications  submitted  to  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  by  Prof.  Charles  Augustus 
Briggs,  D.  D.,"  and  that  the  said  Presbytery  thereupon 
permitted  members  of  the  said  Presbytery  to  discuss  the 
merits  of  the  main  question  on  behalf  of  the  accused  be- 
fore and  without  permitting  the  Prosecuting  Committee 
to  be  heard  on  the  merits  of  the  case. 

That  a  question  as  to  the  status  of  the  Prosecuting 
Committee  was  raised,  and  the  Moderator  decided  that 
the  Committee  was  properly  a  Committee  of  Prosecution 
in  view  of  the  previous  action  of  the  Presbytery,  and  was 
in  the  house  as  an  original  party  under  the  provisions  of 
Section  10  of  the  Book  of  Discipline.  That  an  appeal 
was  taken  from  the  decision  of  the  Moderator,  the  ques- 


8 

tion  was  divided,  and  the  Moderator  was  sustained  in  the 
point,  that  the  Committee  was  in  the  house  as  a  properly- 
appointed  Committee  of  Prosecution,  and  also  sustained 
in  the  point  that  the  Committee,  as  representing  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
was  an  original  party  in  the  case. 

That  on  said  November  fourth,  A.  D.  1891,  the  said 
Presbytery,  after  fully  hearing  Dr.  Briggs'  ''Response 
to  the  Charges  and  Specifications,"  and  without  permit- 
ting the  Prosecuting  Committee  to  be  heard  on  the  merits 
of  the  case,  upon  the  motion  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Yan 
Dyke,  D.  D.,  made  and  entered  on  its  records  its  decision 
and  final  judgment  dismissing  the  said  case  in  the  follow- 
ing words,  to  wit : 

''  Besolved,  that  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  having 
listened  to  the  paper  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D., 
in  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  against  him  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the 
charges  and  specifications  in  form  and  legal  effect ;  and 
without  approving  of  the  positions  stated  in  his  Inaugural 
Address,  at  the  same  time  desiring  earnestly  the  peace 
and  quiet  of  the  Church,  and  in  view  of  the  declarations 
made  by  Dr.  Briggs  touching  his  loyalty  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures  and  the  Westminster  Standards,  and  of  his 
disclaimers  of  interpretations  put  on  some  of  his  words, 
deems  it  best  to  dismiss  the  case,  and  hereby  does  so 
dismiss  it." 

From  the  aforesaid  action  of  the  said  Presbytery  of 
New  York  on  the  said  fourth  day  of  November,  A.D.  1891, 
in  dismissing  the  case,  the  Prosecuting  Committee  took 
an  appeal  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  Pres- 
byterian Church  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  provisions  of  Sections  94  to  102,  inclu- 
sive, of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

The  said  Appeal  was  made  upon  six  different  grounds, 
supported  by  twenty-five  specifications  of  error,  and 
together  with  the  written  notice  of  Appeal  required  by 
Section  96  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  was  given  to  the 


9 

Stated  Clerk  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  and  lodged 
with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  within 
the  time  required  by  Sections  96  and  97  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline. 

The  Appeal,  the  Record  and  other  documents  in  the  case 
were  referred  to  the  Judicial  Committee  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  1892  at  Portland,  Oregon,  and  the  follow- 
ing action  was  had  thereon  : 

"  The  Judicial  Committee  presented  its  report  in  the 
case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  of  A.  vs.  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  which  was  accepted,  as  follows  : 

The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  reports  that  it  has 
carefully  considered  the  documents  submitted  to  it  in 
this  case,  and  adopted  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  the  Appeal 
taken  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  an  original  party  represented  by  the  "  Commit- 
tee of  Prosecution,"  appointed  under  Section  11  of  the 
Book  of  Discipline,  has  been  taken  from  the  final  judg- 
ment of  the  Presbytery  in  dismissing  the  case  ;  and  that 
the  said  Committee  had  the  right  to  take  this  Appeal 
representing  the  said  original  party. 

2.  That  it  finds  that  the  notice  of  the  Appeal  has  been 
given,  and  that  the  Appeal,  Specifications  of  Error,  and 
Record  have  been  filed  in  accordance  with  Sections  96  and 
97  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  the  ap]3eal  is  in  order. 

3.  That,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee,  the  Appeal 
should  be  entertained,  and  a  time  set  apart  for  the  hear- 
ing of  the  case. 

In  view  of  these  considerations,  the  Committee  reports 
that  the  Appeal  is  in  order,  and  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly should  proceed,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
Section  99  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  by  causing  the 
judgment  appealed  from,  the  notice  of  Appeal,  the  Appeal 
and  the  specifications  of  the  errors  alleged,  to  be  read ; 
then  to  hear  the  appellant  by  the  Committee  of  Prosecu- 
tion; then  the  defendant  in  person,  or  by  his  counsel;  then 
the  appellant  by  the  Committee  of  Prosecution  in  reply, 
upon  the  question,   "  Whether  the  Appeal  shall  be  enter- 


10 

tained?"     (Minutes  of  General  Assembly,  1892,  page  90.) 

The  General  Assembly  was  then  constituted  and  charged, 
in  accordance  with  Rule  XL.  of  the  General  Rules  for 
Judicatories,  and  during  its  sessions,  on  the  25th  and  26th 
days  of  May,  1892,  heard  the  Arguments  of  the  Appellant 
and  the  Appellee  upon  the  question  whether  the  Ax)peal 
should  or  should  not  be  entertained,  the  Assembly 
adopted  the  report  of  the  Judicial  Committee  and  the 
Appeal  was  entertained.  (Minutes  of  General  Assembly, 
1892,  pp.  118  and  119.) 

Against  this  action  of  the  Assembly,  "in  entertain- 
ing the  Appeal  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  ^  *  ^ 
and  so  giving  the  Committee  which  preferred  the  Charges 
against  Dr.  Briggs,  standing  before  the  Assembly  and 
right  of  Appeal  as  an  original  party,"  a  protest  was 
presented  by  the  Rev.  S.  J.  McPherson,  D.D.,  and 
others,  which  protest  was  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the 
Minutes  of  the  Assembly  without  answer.  (Minutes  of 
General  Assembly,  1892,  pp.  153,  205.) 

The  Appeal,  upon  its  merits,  was  then  fully  argued  by 
the  Appellant  and  the  Appellee  before  the  General  Assem- 
bly, on  May  28th,  1892  (Minutes  of  General  Assembly,  1892, 
p.l40),  and  the  provisions  of  Section  99  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline having  been  fully  complied  with,  each  of  the 
twenty-five  specifications  of  error  was  sustained.  The 
yeas  and  nays  were  ordered  upon  the  question,  "Shall 
the  Appeal  be  sustained?"  and  431  Commissioners  voted 
to  sustain  the  Appeal  and  87  voted  not  to  sustain. 
(Minutes  of  General  Assembly,  1892,  p.  141.) 

On  May  30th,  1892,  the  Committee  appointed  to  draft 
a  form  of  Judgment  to  be  entered  in  the  said  case  sub- 
mitted its  report  and  recommended  the  form  of  decree  or 
order,  which  was  adopted,  (Minutes  of  the  General 
Assembly,  1892,  p.  152)  and  is  as  follows  : 

"The  Presbyterian  Church   1   .  .n         ^.^     -   ^ 

j^  THE  I  Appeal  from  the  judg- 

United  States  of  America      y     ^^^^^  ""^  ^?,^^  Presby- 
^^  tery   of  New  York, 

Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.  J      dismissing  the  case. 
"The  General  Assembly  having,  on  the  28th  day  of 


11 

May,  1892,  duly  sustained  all  the  specifications  of  error 
alleged  and  set  forth  in  the  appeal  and  specifications  in 
this  case, 

''It  is  now,  May  30,  1892,  ordered,  that  the  judgment 
of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  entered  November  4, 
1891,  dismissing  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  against  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D.,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  reversed. 
And  the  case  is  remanded  to  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  for  a  new  trial,  with  directions  to  the  said 
Presbytery  to  proceed  to  pass  upon  and  determine  the 
sufficiency  of  the  charges  and  specifications  in  form  and 
legal  effect,  and  to  permit  the  Prosecuting  Committee  to 
amend  the  specifications  or  charges,  not  changing  the 
general  nature  of  the  same,  if,  in  the  furtherance  of 
justice,  it  be  necessary  to  amend,  so  that  the  case  may  be 
brought  to  issue  and  tried  on  the  merits  thereof  as 
speedily  as  may  be  practicable. 

"And  it  is  further  ordered,  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly  return  the  record,  and  certify  the  pro- 
ceedings had  thereon,  with  the  necessary  papers  relating 
thereto,  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York." 

This  mandate  of  the  General  Assembly  was  received  by 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  and 
submitted  to  the  Presbytery  at  its  meeting  held  on  the 
13th  day  of  June,  1892,  when  the  Presbytery 

''Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  Presbytery,  the 
issue  of  the  case  is  impracticable  during  the  Summer,  but 
will  receive  the  attention  of  Presbytery  on  its  reassembling 
in  the  Fall." 

On  the  9th  day  of  November,  1892,  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  met,  was  constituted  and  charged,  in  accordance 
with  Rule  XL.  of  the  General  Rules  for  Judicatories. 
During  the  first  day's  session  of  the  said  Judicatory,  in 
compliance  with  the  said  mandate  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  the  provisions  of  Section  22  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline,  the  said  Judicatory  permitted  the  Prosecut- 
ing Committee  to  amend  the  Charges  and  Specifications 
theretofore  submitted  in  this  case,  and  the  Prosecuting 


L2 

Committee  thereupon  submitted  amended  Charges  and 
Specifications.  In  the  furtherance  of  justice,  and  with 
an  earnest  desire  to  fairly  and  fully  meet  and  conform  to 
the  suggestions  and  objections  raised  by  Dr.  Briggs  in  his 
response  to  the  original  Charges  and  Specihcations,  so  far 
as  such  objections  were  valid  or  well  taken,  the  Prosecuting 
Committee,  without  departing  from  or  changing  the  gen- 
eral nature  of  the  original  Charges,  made  such  amend- 
ments as  appeared  to  them  to  be  necessary  to  secure 
clearness  and  certainty  as  to  what  was  charged  ;  also  to 
prevent  the  Charges  from  covering  more  than  one  offence 
and  to  make  the  Specifications,  and  the  proofs  cited  in 
support  thereof,  germane  and  pertinent  to  the  Charges 
they  were  intended  to  sustain.  The  sessions  of  said  Ju- 
dicatory were  continued  with  certain  interruptions 
for  a  number  of  days,  during  Avhich  certain  proceedings 
were  taken  as  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  said  Judicatory, 
which  minutes  are  hereby  referred  to  as  a  part  of  the 
record  of  the  proceedings  in  this  case,  which  culminated 
in  the  decision  and  final  Judgment  from  which  this 
Appeal  is  taken. 

On  the  9th  day  of  January,  1893,  a  committee  consist- 
ing of  the  Rev.  George  Alexander,  D.  D.,  the  Rev.  Henry 
Yan  Dyke,  D.  D.  and  Elder  Robert  Jaffray,  appointed  to 
bring  in  a  minute  to  express  the  action  of  the  said  Judi- 
catory, made  its  report,  which  was  adopted  by  the 
Judicatory,  and  the  said  Presbytery,  sitting  in  a  j  udicial 
capacity,  made  and  entered  its  decision  and  final  judg- 
ment in  this  case,  in  the  following  words,  to  wit : 

"The  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  against  the  Reverend  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
D.  D.,  having  been  dismissed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  on  November  4th,  1891,  was  remanded  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  1892  to  the  same  Presbytery,  with  instruc- 
tions that  4t  be  brought  to  issue  and  tried  on  the  merits 
thereof  as  speedily  as  possible.'  " 

*^In  obedience  to  this  mandate  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  has  tried  the  case.  It  has  listened  to  the  evidence 
and  argument  of  the  Committee  of  Prosecution,  acting  in 


13 

fidelity  to  the  duty  committed  to  them.  It  has  heard  the 
defense  and  evidence  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  pre- 
sented in  accordance  with  the  rights  secured  to  every 
minister  of  the  church. 

"  The  Presbytery  has  kept  in  mind  these  established  prin- 
ciples of  our  polity,  'that  no  man  can  rightly  be  convicted 
of  heresy  by  inference  or  implication';  that  'in  the  in- 
terpretation of  ambiguous  expressions  candor  requires 
that  a  court  should  favor  the  accused  by  putting  upon  his 
words  the  more  favorable  rather  than  the  less  favorable 
construction,'  and  'there  are  truths  and  forms  with  re- 
spect to  which  men  of  good  character  may  differ.' 

"  Gfiving  due  consideration  to  the  defendant's  explana- 
tion of  the  language  used  in  his  Inaugural  Address, 
accepting  his  frank  and  full  disclaimer  of  the  interi)reta- 
tion  which  has  been  put  upon  some  of  its  phrases  and 
illustrations,  crediting  his  affirmations  of  loyalty  to  the 
Standards  of  the  church  and  to  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the 
only  infallible  rale  of  faith  and  practice,  the  Presbytery 
does  not  find  that  he  has  transgressed  the  limits  of  liberty 
allowed  under  our  Constitution  to  scholarship  and 
opinion. 

"Therefore,  without  expressing  approval  of  the  critical 
or  theological  views  embodied  in  the  Inaugural  Address 
or  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  expressed  and 
illustrated,  the  Presbytery  pronounces  the  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  fully  acquitted  of  the  offences  alleged 
against  him,  the  several  charges  and  specifications  ac- 
cepted for  probation  having  been  'not  sustained'  by  the 
following  vote : 


14 


SUSTAINED. 

NOT 
SUSTAINED. 

►4 

1 

58 
59 
59 

59 

i 

H 

55 
54 
54 
54 

15 
15 
15 
15 

i4 

o 
H 

(1  Specification, 

J   12 

[charge    {^      ;    ; 

41 

42 
42 
42 

17 
17 
17 
17 

70 
69 
69 
69 

fl  Specification, 
'^Charge    |^       ;     ; 

39 
89 
39 
39 

16 
16 
16 
16 

55 
55 
55 
55 

56 
56 
56 
56 

16 
16 
16 
16 

72 
72 
72 
72 

'  Specification,     .     . 
TTT  J                  ia., 
^^^'  ^  Charge    \b       .     . 

L                c      .    . 

44 
44 
42 
44 

17 
17 
17 
17 

61 
61 
59 
61 

52 

52 
54 

52 

15 
15 
15 
15 

67 
67 
69 
67 

(  Specification,     .     . 
IV.  1  Charge    {«       ;     ; 

39 
39 
39 

15 
15 
15 

54 
54 
54 

55 
55 
55 

17 
17 
17 

72 
72 
72 

i  Specification,     .     . 
V-j  Charge    {«      ;     ; 

35 
35 
35 

14 
14 
14 

49 
49 
49 

51 
51 
51 

16 
16 
16 

73 
73 
73 

xTj  j  Specification,     .     . 
^  -"•  (  Charge,     .... 

41 
41 

16 
16 

57 
57 

55 
55 

14 
14 

69 
69 

"Accordingly,  the  Presbytery,  making  full  recognition 
of  the  ability,  sincerity  and  patience  with  which  the  Com- 
mittee of  Prosecution  have  performed  the  onerous  duty 
assigned  them,  does  now,  to  the  extent  of  its  consti- 
tutional power,  relieve  said  Committee  from  further 
responsibility  in  connection  with  this  case.  In  so  doing, 
the  Presbytery  is  not  undertaking  to  decide  how  far  that 
Committee  is  subject  to  the  authority  of  the  body  appoint- 
ing it,  but  intends  by  this  action  to  express  an  earnest  con- 


In 

viction  that  the  grave  issues  involved  in  this  case  will  be 
more  wisely  and  justly  determined  by  calm  investigation 
and  fraternal  discussion  than  by  judicial  arraignment 
and  process. 

''  In  view  of  the  present  disquietude  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  of  the  obligation  resting  upon  all  Christians 
to  walk  in  charity  and  to  have  tender  concern  for  the  con- 
sciences of  their  brethren,  the  Presbytery  earnestly 
c-ounsels  its  members  to  avoid  on  the  one  hand  hasty  or 
over-confident  statement  of  private  opinion  on  points  con- 
cerning Willie h  profound  and  reverent  students  of  God's 
word  are  not  yet  agreed,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  suspicions 
and  charges  of  false  teaching  which  are  not  clearly 
capable  of  proof. 

"  Moreover,  the  Presbytery  advises  and  exhorts  all  sub- 
ject to  its  authority  to  regard  the  many  and  great  things 
in  which  we  agree  rather  than  the  few  and  minor  things 
in  which  we  differ;  and,  turning  from  the  paths  of  con- 
troversy, to  devote  their  energies  to  the  great  and  urgent 
work  of  the  Church,  which  is  the  proclamation  of  the 
Grospel  and  the  edifying  of  the  Body  of  Christ." 

From  the  aforesaid  action,  decision  and  final  judgment 
of  the  said  Presbytery  of  New  York,  sitting  in  a  judicial 
capacity,  taken  on  the  ninth  day  of  January,  1893,  being 
the  final  judgment  of  the  said  Presbytery  in  the  case  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
against  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  in  behalf  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  we, 
the  undersigned,  the  Prosecuting  Committee  in  the  said 
case,  do  hereby  appeal  to  your  Venerable  Body,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
Sections  94  to  102,  inclusive,  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

Under  the  provisions  of  Section  IV.  of  Chapter  XI.  of  the 
Form  of  Government  of  said  Presbyterian  Church,  the 
decision  of  a  Synod  on  an  Appeal  which  affects  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Church,  is  not  final. 

Section  V.  of  Chapter  XII.  of  the  said  Form  of  Govern- 
ment devolves  upon  the  General  Assembly  "  the  power  of 


16 

deciding  in  all  controversies  respecting  doctrine  and  disci- 
pline ;  of  reproving,  warning,  or  bearing  testimony  against 
error  in  doctrine  *  *  ^  in  any  cliurcli,  presb^^tery  or 
synod." 

Section  TV.  of  the  same  Chapter  provides  that  ''The 
General  Assembly  shall  receive  and  issue  all  Appeals 
"^  ^  ^  that  affect  the  doctrine  or  constitution  of  the 
Church,  which  may  be  regularly  brought  before  them 
from  the  inferior  judicatories." 

Under  these  Sections  of  the  Form  of  Government  and 
Section  102  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  the  Appeal  from 
the  former  Judgment  dismissing  this  case  was  taken  by 
the  Prosecuting  Committee,  in  behalf  of  the  said  Presby- 
terian Church,  directly  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York 
to  the  General  Assembly.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Church,  after  full  discussion,  assumed  jurisdiction  of  the 
case,  entertained  the  Appeal,  and,  after  further  full  argu- 
ment, sustained  the  same. 

The  General  Assembly,  in  reversing  the  former  Judg- 
ment of  the  Presbytery,  directed  that  the  case  should  be 
tried  upon  its  merits  by  the  Presbj^tery  of  New  York,  and 
from  the  result  of  that  trial  it  is  proper  that  the  Appeal 
should  be  made  directly  to  the  higher  Judicatory,  which 
has  already  entertained  jurisdiction  of  the  case. 

The  status  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  as  represent- 
ing the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  as  an  original  party,  under  Sections  10  and  11 
of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  having  been  sustained  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  1892,  the  Committee  is  charged  with 
conducting  the  prosecution  in  all  its  stages,  in  whatever 
Judicatory,  until  the  final  issue  be  reached. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  cannot  accept  the  decision 
of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  as  final,  and  not  take  an 
appeal  therefrom,  inasmuch  as  it  would  thereby  assume 
the  responsibility  of  acting  for  the  entire  Church  and 
would  surrender  the  Church' s  rights  and  the  only  oppor- 
tunity of  securing  a  final  determination,  by  the  General 
Assembly,  of  the  questions  at  issue  which  involve  most 
important  and  fundamental  doctrines. 


17 

As  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Section  96,  provides  that 
written  Notice  of  Appeal,  with  the  specifications  of  the 
errors  alleged,  shall  be  given  within  ten  days  after  the 
Judgment  has  been  rendered,  the  Prosecuting  Committee 
must  act  promptly,  and  without  being  able  to  obtain  in 
advance  the  instruction  or  wishes  of  the  only  body  repre- 
senting the  entire  Church,  namely,  the  General  Assembly. 

If  the  action  of  the  Committee  in  taking  this  Appeal 
does  not  commend  itself  to  the  court  of  last  resort  it 
need  not  be  entertained,  and  the  Aj)peal  can  be  disndssed 
without  prejudice  to  any  interest. 

Under  ordinary  conditions  the  Prosecuting  Committee 
would  have  taken  this  Appeal  to  the  Synod  of  New 
York,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  be  best  to  do  so  in 
this  exceptional  case  for  the  following  reasons  : 

1.  To  secure  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  Church  it  is 
essential  that  a  linal  determination  of  the  fundamental 
and  imx^ortant  questions  involved  should  be  reached  by 
the  Court  of  last  resort  at  the  earliest  practicable  date. 

2.  As  this  case  involves  doctrine,  it  must  be  finally  de- 
termined by  the  General  Assembly.  The  delay  in 
reaching  an  ultimate  decision  through  an  appeal  by  way 
of  the  Synod  could  not  be  less  than  a  year,  during  which 
the  character  of  instruction  given  our  candidates  for  the 
gospel  ministry  might  be  unfavorably  affected.  By  se- 
curing the  siDeedy  decision  of  the  Court  of  last  resort  in 
this  case,  neither  the  rights  nor  the  interests  of  any  indi- 
vidual would  suffer. 

3.  If  the  Appeal  should  go  to  the  Synod  of  New  York 
and  be  passed  upon  by  that  Judicatory,  when  the  case 
reaches  the  General  Assembly  by  appeal  from  the  de- 
cision of  the  Synod,  all  of  tlie  Presbyteries  constituting 
that  Synod  would  be  excluded  from  representation  in 
the  final  determination  of  these  important  questions. 
If  the  Appeal  goes  directly  to  the  Assembly,  the  Com- 
missioners from  only  one  Presbytery  in  the  entire  Church 
would  be  excluded  from  sitting,  deliberating  and  voting 
in  the  final  decision.  In  the  Synod  of  New  York  there 
are  thirty-two  Presbyteries,  nearly  fifteen  per  cent,  of  the 


18 

whole  number  of  Presbyteries  in  the  Church.  Inas- 
much as  all  these  Presbyteries,  excepting  one,  would  be 
fully  represented  and  heard  in  the  General  Assembly, 
and  the  General  Assembly  alone  can  give  a  final  decision, 
we  believe  the  time  and  the  interests  of  the  Synod  of 
New  York  will  be  best  conserved  if  the  Assembly  should 
entertain  the  Appeal  according  to  the  Committees  request. 
This  important  consideration  of  having  these  questions 
finally  determined  by  the  representatives  of  substantially 
the  entire  Church,  apart  from  the  other  reasons  above 
mentioned,  would  seem  to  require,  in  the  interest  of  fair- 
ness and  justice  to  all  concerned,  that  the  Prosecuting 
Committee  should  take  an  Appeal  directly  to  the  General 
Assembly,  and  that  the  General  Assembly  should  enter- 
tain said  Appeal. 
The  grounds  of  this  appeal  are  as  follows  : 

FIRST  GROUND  OF  APPEAL. 

Irregularity  in  the  Proceedings  of  said 

Presbytery  of  New  York. 

(Section  95,  Book  of  Discipline.) 

SPECIFICATION  FIRST. 

In  this,  that  in  consideration  of  objections  offered 
by  the  accused  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  sitting  in  a 
judicial  capacity,  required  the  Prosecuting  Committee 
to  amend  the  Amended  Charges  and  Specifications  sub- 
mitted to  said  Presbytery  on  the  9th  day  of  November, 
1892,  by  striking  out  Charge  lY.,  said  Charge  lY.  being 
in  substance  an  essential  part  of  the  original  Charges 
and  Specifications  in  the  case  sent  down  by  the  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  the  said  Presbytery,  with  instructions 
that  the  said  case  be  brought  to  issue  and  tried  on  the 
merits  thereof. 

SPECIFICATION  SECOND. 

In  this,  that  in  consideration  of  objections  offered 
by  the  accused  the  said  Presbytery  required  the  said 
Prosecuting  Committee  to  amend  the  Amended  Charges- 


19 

and  Speciiications  by  striking  out  Cliarge  VII.  ;  said 
Charge  VII.  being  in  substance  an  essential  \ydvt  of  the 
original  Charges  and  Speciiications  in  the  case  sent  down 
by  the  last  General  Assembly  to  the  said  Presbytery, 
with  instructions  that  tlie  said  case  be  brought  to  issue 
and  tried  on  the  merits  thereof. 

SPECIFICATION  THIRD. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery,  before  proceeding  to 
trial,  directed  the  transference  of  the  proofs  cited  by 
the  Prosecuting  Committee  from  the  Scriptures,  tlie  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  the  Catechisms,  to  sustain  the  several 
Speciiications,  from  the  Specifications  to  the  Charges,  by 
the  following  action,  to  wit:  "Without  sustaining  the 
general  objection  to  the  relevancy  of  the  proofs  from 
the  Scriptures,  Catechisms  and  Confession,  the  Presby- 
tery directs  the  transference  of  these  proofs  from  the 
Specifications  to  the  Charges." 

SPECIFICATION  FOURTH. 

In  this,  that  the  Moderator  of  the  Presbytery,  the  Rev. 
John  C.  Bliss,  D.  D.,  w^ithout  submitting  the  question  to 
the  Judicatory,  ruled  that  the  Rev.  Joseph  J.  Lampe, 
D.  D.,  speaking  as  a  member  of  the  Prosecuting  Commit- 
tee, introduced  new  matter  in  his  argument  in  reply  to  the 
argument  of  the  accused,  and  without  specifying  the  al- 
leged new  matter,  the  Presbytery,  after  the  close  of  the 
argument  of  the  said  Rev.  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  D.  D.,  on 
behalf  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  took  the  following 
action,  to  wit : 

"  Resolved,  that  the  Presbytery  now  give  the  defend- 
ant an  opportunity  to  reply." 

SPECIFICATION  FIFTH. 

In  this,  that  by  the  ruling  of  the  Moderator,  re- 
ferred to  in  Specification  Fourth,  the  said  Prosecuting 
Committee  were  refused  the  opportunity  to  close  the  case, 
contrary  to  the  practice  and  precedents  in  such  cases  in 
the  Judicatories  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 


20 
SPECIFICATION  SIXTH. 

In  this,  that,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  said  Br. 
Briggs  declined  to  be  sworn  as  a  witness  when  called 
upon,  the  said  Presbytery  accepted  statements  or  ex- 
planations of  the  language  used  by  the  said  accused,  or 
disclaimers  on  the  part  of  the  said  accused,  and  gave  to 
said  statements,  explanations  or  disclaimers  in  the  final 
judgment  of  the  said  Presbytery,  the  force  of  such  sworn, 
approbated  and  subscribed  testimony,  as  is  described  or 
referred  to  in  Sections  61  and  62  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline. 

SPECIFICATION  SEVENTH. 

In  this,  that  there  was  placed  upon  or  in  the  Official 
Stenographic  Report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  said  Judi- 
catory, of  December  5th,  1892,  as  furnished  to  the  parties 
by  the  Stenographer,  beginning  at  the  last  line  on  page  443 
(erased  page  No.  461)  to  a  point  below  the  middle  of  page 
468  (erased  page  No.  481),  about  twenty  pages,  which  said 
twenty  pages  contain  words  and  matter  which  were  not 
spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and,  as  is  stated 
by  the  Stenographer,  were  introduced  into  the  Steno- 
graphic Report  upon  the  request  or  suggestion  of  Prof. 
Briggs,  with  the  approval  of  the  Moderator,  and  after  it 
had  been  announced  to  tlie  Judicatory  that  both  of  the 
parties  had  fully  x^^'^sented  their  evidence,  and  after  tlie 
argument  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  had  been  begun. 

SPECIFICATION  EIGHTH. 

In  this,  that  there  was  placed  upon  or  in  the  Official 
Stenographic  Report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  said 
Judicatory,  beginning  at  page  468  of  said  Official  Steno- 
graphic Report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  said  Presby- 
tery, held  on  Mondaj^  December  5th,  1892,  fifteen  or  more 
additional  printed  sheets,  which  said  fifteen  or  more 
additional  printed  sheets  contain  words  and  matter  which 
were  not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and 
were  introduced  by  the  Stenographer  into  the  official 
Stenographic  Report  of  the  proceedings,  as  said  Steno- 
graphic Report  of  December  6,  1892  shows,  (page  578), 


21 

upon  the  request  or  suggestion  of  Prof.  Briggs  and  by 
direction  of  the  Modei'ator,  and  after  it  had  been  an- 
nounced to  the  Judicatory  that  both  of  the  parties  had 
fully  presented  their  evidence,  and  after  the  argument 
of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  had  been  begun. 

SPECIFICATION  NINTH. 

In  this,  that  the  request  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee 
that  such  part  of  the  Stenographic  Report  described  and 
referred  to  in  Specifications  Seventh  and  Eighth  as  twenty 
pages  and  fifteen  or  more  additional  printed  sheets, 
respectively,  should  be  stricken  out  and  that  the  accused 
should  not  be  permitted  to  refer  to  or  use  any  portion  of 
such  matter,  or  the  books  or  documents  therein  referred 
to,  as  evidence  upon  the  trial,  was  refused  by  the  said 
Judicatory,  and  in  this,  that  the  record  of  said  request 
was  stricken  from  the  Minutes  of  the  said  Presbytery. 
(See  Records  of  the  New  York  Presbytery,  Vol.  14,  pp. 
395,  396.) 

SPECIFICATION  TENTH. 

In  this,  that  after  the  Prosecuting  Committee  had  ob- 
jected to  the  insertion  into  the  Official  Stenographer's 
Report  of  certain  words  and  matter,said  matter  being  upon 
about  twenty  pages  of  the  Stenographer's  notes,  and 
fifteen  or  more  printed  sheets  being  the  pages  and  printed 
sheets  referred  to  in  Specification  Seventh  and  Eighth, 
which  said  words  and  matter  were  not  spoken  on  the 
floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and  after  the  said  Prosecuting 
Committee  had  requested  that  the  said  twenty  pages  and 
the  said  fifteen  or  more  printed  sheets  should  be  stricken 
out,  and  that  the  accused  should  not  be  permitted  to  refer 
to  or  to  use  any  portion  of  such  matter  or  the  books  or 
documents  therein  referred  to,  as  evidence  upon  the  trial, 
and  in  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery,  while  retaining  as 
a  part  of  the  Stenographer's  Report,  the  said  twenty 
pages  and  the  said  fifteen  or  more  printed  sheets,  voted 
to  strike  out  of  tlie  Minutes  the  said  record  of  the  request 
of  the  said  Prospcuting  Committee. 


22 

SPECIFICATION  ELEVENTH. 

In  this,  that  when  the  vote  was  taken  on  the  said 
Charges  and  Specilications,  the  said  Presbytery  refused 
to  permit  any  ol:  the  members  of  the  said  Judicatory  to 
vote,  to  "  Sustain  in  part,"  contrary  to  the  precedents  and 
practice  of  tlie  judicial  procedure  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

SPECIFICATION  TWELFTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery  required  that  each 
item  in  Charges  I.,  II.,  III.,  V.  and  VI.  should  be  voted 
upon  separately,  thereby  implying  and  proceeding  upon 
the  theory,  wliich  was  not  warranted  by  the  facts,  that 
each  of  said  Charges  contained  more  than  one  offence. 
(See  Records  of  the  New  York  Presbytery,  Vol.  14, 
p.  368.) 

SECOND   GROUND   OF  APPEAL. 

Receiving  Improper  Testimony. 

(Section  95,  Book  of  Discipline.) 

SPECIFICATION  FIRST. 

In  this,  that  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  tlie  said 
accused  declined  to  be  sworn  as  a  witness  when  called 
upon,  the  said  Presbytery  accepted  statements  or  ex 
planations  of  the  language  used  by  the  said  accused  or  dis- 
claimers on  the  part  of  the  said  accused  and  gave  to  said 
statements,  explanations  or  disclaimers,  in  the  final  judg- 
ment of  the  said  Presbytery,  the  force  of  such  sworn,  ap- 
probated and  subscribed  testimony  as  is  described  or 
referred  to  in  Sections  61  and  62  of  the  Book  of  Discij^line. 

SPECIFICATION  SECOND. 

In  this,  that  the  Moderator,  at  the  request  of  the  said 
accused,  instructed  the  Stenographer,  as  appears  by  page 
678  of  the  Stenographer's  Report  of  the  proceedings  of 
December  6th,  1892,  to  insert,  beginning  at  the  last  line 
on  page  448  (erased  page  No.  461),  to  a  point  below  the 
middle  of  page  468  (erased  page  No.  481)   of  the  Official 


28 

Stenographer's  Report  of  tlie  proceedings  of  the  Judica- 
tory at  its  session  on  Monday,  December  6th,  about 
twenty  pages  of  stenographic  notes,  and  also  fifteen  or 
more  additional  printed  sheets  beginning  at  page  468  of 
the  Official  Stenographic  Report,  the  statements  and 
matter  contained  in  the  said  twenty  pages  of  said  Steno- 
graplier's  notes,  and  in  the  said  fifteen  or  more  additional 
printed  sheets,  being  matter  or  statements  which  were 
not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and  which 
were  permitted  to  remain  as  a  part  of  the  Stenographer's 
Official  Report  and  were  received  by  the  said  Judicatory 
as  competent  evidence. 

SPECIFICATION  THIRD. 

In  this,  that  the  Presbytery  admitted  as  lawful  and 
competent  testimony  any  part  of  the  quotations  made  by 
the  accused,  in  so  far  as  they  were  writings  or  extracts 
from  the  writings  of  the  said  accused,  without  his  having 
first  taken  the  oath  or  affirmation  required  by  Section  61 
of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 


THIRD  GROUND  OF  APPEAL. 

Declining  to  Receive  Important  Testimony. 

(Section  95,  Book  of  Discipline.) 

SPECIFICATION  FIRST. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery  instructed  the  said 
Prosecuting  Committee  to  strike  out  Amended  Charge 
lY.,  thereby  declining  to  permit  the  said  Committee  to 
prove  said  Charge  IV.  by  competent  evidence. 

SPECIFICATION  SECOND. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery  instructed  the  said 
Prosecuting  Committee  to  strike  out  Amended  Charge 
yil.,  thereby  declining  to  permit  the  said  Committee  to 
prove  said  Charge  YII.  by  competent  evidence. 


24 


FOURTH  GROUND  OP  APPEAL. 

Manifestation  of  Prejudice  in  the  Conduct 
OF  THE  Case. 

(Section  95,  Book  of  Discipline.) 

SPECIFICATION  FIRST. 

In  this,  that  several  members,  hereinafter  named,  of 
the  said  Presbytery,  sitting  in  a  judicial  capacity,  who 
afterwards  voted  not  to  sustain  each  and  every  one  of  the 
Specifications  and  Charges,  made  statements  upon  the  floor 
of  the  Presbytery,  respectively,  as  hereinafter  set  forth, 
to  wit  : 

Rev.  George  Alexander,  D.  D.,  said  : 

"Wliat  seems  to  me  strange,  Mr.  Moderator,  is  that 
one  of  Dr.  Shedd's  acknowledged  logical  faculty  should 
be  so  blind  to  the  distinction  that  ought  to  be  made. 
I  could  adopt  as  my  own  every  word  of  that  which  he 
quoted  from  Dr.  Briggs,  and  I  am  not  a  Restorationist. 
The  Lord  has  done  great  things  for  me  whereof  I  am  glad, 
and  I  confidently  believe  that  he  is  going  to  do  a  great 
deal  more  for  me  hereafter.  But  that  has  nothing  to  do 
with  the  question  as  to  whether  Dr.  Briggs  holds  that 
there  is  redemption  in  the  world  to  come  for  those  who 
die  in  sin.  The  difficulty  is,  that  this  Charge  imputes  to 
Dr.  Briggs  views  which  he  distinctly  says  he  does  not 
hold."  *  ^  *  * '  When  Dr.  Briggs  intimated  a  suspicion 
that  the  Prosecuting  Committee  might  be  holding  back  de- 
liberately with  testimony  or  evidence  in  order  to  crush  him 
with  it  after  the  oi3portunity  for  response  had  gone  by, 
I  resented  that  suspicion,  and  if  it  had  been  in  order  I 
should  have  risen  in  my  place  and  asked  him  to  with- 
draw those  words  because  it  seemed  to  me  an  unworthy 
suspicion.  Now,  that  the  suspicion  seems  to  be  justified 
by  the  event,  I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  say.  I  am  puzzled 
and  distressed.  The  members  of  this  Prosecuting  Com- 
mittee are  my  personal  friends  ;  I  cannot  believe  that 
there  is  one  of  them  that   would  consciously  do  an  in- 


25 

justice.  I  won't  believe  it,  but  I  cannot  shrink  from  the 
fact  that  a  wrong  has  been  done  in  some  way  and  the 
more  I  think  of  it  and  the  more  I  think  of  the  defendant, 
from  whom  I  differ  so  widely,  worn  out  and  weak  and  suf- 
fering from  this  terrilic  strain,  required  now  to  meet  this 
fresh  assault — why,  the  more  every  drop  of  Anglo-Saxon 
blood  in  me  protests  against  it.  We  cannot  remedy  the 
wrong.  All  that  we  can  do  is  to  give  the  defendant,  if 
he  desires  it  (I  hoj^e  he  will  not  desire  it),  an  opportunity 
to  meet  this  fresh  evidence  and  this  fresh  argument ; 
giving  him  reasonable  time  to  prepare  his  defense,  and,  if 
need  be,  giving  the  prosecution  the  last  word.  I  should 
not  object  to  that  at  all.  But,  having  spent  so  much  time, 
we  cannot  afford  to  seem,  even,  to  do  an  injustice  to  any 
one." 

Rev.  Antonio  Arreghi,  said  : 

"  An  engagement  made  long  before  this  Court,  and  made 
out  of  fidelity  to  my  work,  renders  it  impossible  for  me 
to  attend  at  the  sessions  of  this  Court  to-morrow  and  the 
day  after.  I  therefore  ask  the  unanimous  consent  of 
the  House  to  excuse  me  for  those  two  days.  It  seems  to 
me  a  great  injustice  because  I  have  an  engagement, 
over  which  I  have  no  control  in  the  least,  and  if  I 
am  not  enrolled,  it  deprives  me  of  the  right  to  vote  on 
this  trial.  I  may  say  right  here  that  it  is  well  known  by 
the  Brethren  on  which  side  of  the  House  each  man  stands 
on  this  floor."     [Cries  of  No  !  no  !]. 

Rev.  Henry  M.  Field,  D.D.,  said  : 

"I  wish  at  the  beginning  of  this  trial  we  might  have 
one  vote  that  could  be  unanimous.  We  are  all  anxious 
to  hurry  on  this  matter  as  much  as  possible.  I  believe 
our  excellent  friends  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  would 
be  very  glad  if  this  Presbj^tery  would  relieve  them  of  the 
necessity  of  pressing  these  two  portions  of  their  Charges. 
Let  us  be  unanimous.  I  do  not  think  Col.  McCook  would 
be  at  all  sorry  to  have  these  two  Charges  stricken  out. 
There  are  enough  Charges  left  any  way  to  sink  a  slii]). 
Let  us  go  to  trial  on  them  and,  if  possible,  unite  in  this 


26 

first  disposal  of  these  two  Cliarges,  wliicli  will  be  a  most 
happy  and  auspicious  omen  for  all  the  rest." 

Rev.  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  D.D.,  said : 

"The  change  is  radical,  in  my  judgment,  between  this 
amended  Charge  lY.  and  what  was  in  the  former  Charges. 
It  gives  the  lie  direct.  That  is  the  plain  English  of  it 
and  there  is  no  getting  around  that  by  any  casuist.  Dr. 
Briggs  has  told  this  Presbytery  that  he  does  not  hold 
such  views,  and  in  his  demurrer  he  has  reiterated  it. 
Now,  to  bring  before  such  a  body  as  this  a  Charge  to  try 
a  man  upon,  assuming  that  it  is  doctrinal,  when  it  is 
really  moral — being  a  question  whether  he  lies  or  not— is 
certainly  a  very  serious  and  a  very  radical  change.  "^  ^ 
"^  *  I  said  that  the  charge  does  give  him  the  lie  direct 
and  I  adhere  to  it.  I  did  not  say,  however,  that  the  Com- 
mittee called  Dr.  Briggs  a  liar.  ^  '^  *  And  I  take  it  that 
he  himself  is  to  be  accepted  as  an  authority  as  to  what  he 
meant  in  that  Inaugural  Address  and  in  anything  else 
that  he  has  said  or  published,  and  what  has  seemed  to  me 
extremely  unfair  and  ungenerous  on  the  part  of  some  is 
the  persistent  effort  to  read  into  his  language  what  he 
says  distinctly  was  not  in  his  mind  and  was  not  his  inten- 
tion. A  man  must  be  his  own  interpreter,  and,  as  I 
understand  it,  Dr.  Briggs  is  before  this  body  saying  that 
he  intended  no  such  thing  as  is  charged  against  him. 
When  a  man  says  that  about  a  charge,  it  seems  to  me 
that  it  is  utterly  out  of  character  and  out  of  keeping  for 
the  Presbytery  to  insist  upon  that  Charge.  Accept  the 
man's  disclaimer  and  denial  and  let  the  Charge  be  with- 
drawn." 

Rev.  Henry  Van  Dyke,  D.D.,  said  : 

' '  I  can  very  readily  specify  some  new  matter  that  has 
been  introduced.  It  is  quite  evident  that  new  matter  has 
been  introduced  [cries  of  ''  No  !  no  ! "].  Those  who  do  not 
yet  see  it  will  see  it  w^hen  the  Court  comes  to  vote  upon  it. 
So  it  is  simply  a  matter  of  fairness  and  justice  that  we 
should  allow  the  defendant,  if  he  wishes  it,  to  reply.  It 
would  be  an  unheard  of  thing  in  any  civil  Court  that  a 
prosecution  should  be  allowed  to  traverse  new  ground 


27 

and  that  tlie  accused  should  not  be  allowed  to  be  heard 
or  to  offer  evidence  in  rebuttal.  It  is  a  thing  to  cause  the 
blood  of  an  Anglo-Saxon  to  boil  within  him,  every  drop 
of  it,  too.  Moreover,  Mr.  Moderator,  it  is  not  simply  that 
new  matter  has  been  introduced,  but  that  statements 
which  have  been  made  by  the  defendant  again  and  again 
upon  this  floor  in  respect  to  doctrines  which  he  rejects, 
have  been  again  attributed  to  him.  And  I  maintain 
that  it  is  simply  a  matter  of  fairness  and  candor  that 
we  should  make  this  offer  to  Dr.  Briggs,  wiiether  he 
will  accex)t  it  or  not,  for  the  sake  of  the  honor  of  this 
House  and  in  the  way  of  decenc}^" 

SPECIFICATION   SECOND. 

In  this,  that  while  the  said  Presbytery  in  obedience  to 
the  mandate  of  the  last  General  Assembly  has  issued  and 
tried  the  case,  it  has  not  tried  it  fully  on  the  merits 
thereof,  as  is  evinced  by  the  striking  out  of  Charges  TV. 
and  VII.  of  the  Amended  Charges  and  Specifications. 

SPECIFICATION  THIRD. 

In  this,  that  said  Presbytery,  in  said  final  judgment, 
by  attempting  to  relieve  the  said  Prosecuting  Committee 
from  further  responsibility  in  connection  with  this  case 
appears  to  hinder  and  prevent  the  attainment  of  the  ends 
of  discipline,  apparently  aiming  to  now  terminate  the 
said  case,  and  thus  secure  the  same  result  that  the  said 
Presbytery  attempted  to  reach  on  November  4th,  A.  D. 
1891,  by  voting  to  dismiss  the  said  case. 

SPECIFICATION  FOURTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery,  in  said  final  judgment, 
expresses  ^'an  earnest  conviction  that  the  grave  issues 
involved  in  this  case  will  be  more  wisely  and  justly  deter- 
mined by  calm  investigation  and  fraternal  discussion  than 
by  judicial  arraignment  and  process,"  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  the  General  Assembly  directed  the  case  to 
be  tried  on  the  merits  thereof  and  thereby  expressed  a 
no  less  earnest  conviction  that  the  grave  issues  involved 


28 

should    be    determined    by    judicial    arraignment    and 
process. 

SPECIFICATION  FIFTH. 
In  this,  that  sundry  members  of  the  said  Presbytery, 
to  wit :  Rev.  Francis  Brown,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Henry  M. 
Field,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J. 
Hall  McHvaine,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Henry  Van  Dyke,  D.  D., 
sat  and  deliberated  in  the  trial  of  this  case  and  voted  to 
acquit  the  said  accused,  upon  each  and  every  specifica- 
cation  and  charge,  after  manifestations  of  prejudice  in  the 
conduct  of  the  case,  on  the  part  of  the  said  members  was 
charged  in  the  appeal  to  and  sustained  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  1892. 

SPECIFICATION  SIXTH. 

In  this,  that  sundry  Directors,  Officers  and  Professors 
of  Union  Theological  Seminar}^,  to  wit :  Rev.  Francis 
Brown,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Edward  L.  Clark,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Charles 
R.  Gillett,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J. 
Hall  Mcllvaine,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Philip  Schaff,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
W.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  D.  D., 
and  William  A.  Wheelock,  Esq.,  sat  and  deliberated  in 
the  said  trial  and  voted  to  acquit  the  said  accused  upon 
each  and  every  specilication  and  charge,  said  Directors, 
Officers  and  Professors  having  previously  approved  and 
published  the  said  Inaugural  Address,  as  appears  in 
the  first  edition  which  bears  the  imprint :  "  Printed  for 
The  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York,  1891," 
' '  Copja-ight,  1891,  by  The  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary," and  as  also  appears  in  the  second  edition  of  said 
Inaugural  Address,  which  was  also  "  Copyright,  1891,  by 
Tlie  Union  Theological  Seminary,"  which  said  Inaugural 
Address  contained  the  alleged  erroneous  doctrines  for  the 
holding  and  publishing  of  which  doctrines  the  accused 
was  then  on  trial. 

FIFTH  GROUND  OP  APPEAL. 
Mistake  or  Injustice  in  the  Decision. 

SPECIFICATION  FIRST. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery  having  declared  the 


29 

said  Amended  Charges  and  Specifications  sufficient  in 
form  and  legal  effect  and  tlie  said  accused  having  repeat- 
edly admitted  the  facts  as  set  forth  in  the  said  several 
Specifications,  the  said  Presbytery  was  inconsistent  and 
erred  in  not  accepting  the  said  admissions  of  the  said  ac- 
cused and  in  not  sustaining  the  said  Charges  as  its  final 
judgment. 

SPECIFICATION  SECOND. 

In  this,  that  the  said  final  judgment  of  the  said  Pres- 
bytery was  not  warranted  by  the  law  and  the  evidence, 
because  the  Court  had  decided  that  the  Charges  were  suf- 
fici-^Mit  in  form  and  legal  effect ;  that  is,  it  had  already 
substantially  determined  that  if  the  accused  had  taught 
the  doctrine  with  which  he  was  charged,  he  was  guilty 
of  an  offence.  The  several  Charges  alleged  an  offence 
and  the  several  allegations  were  proved  by  extracts 
from  the  Inaugural  Address  cited  in  the  several  Specifica- 
tions, and  said  extracts  were  admitted  as  authentical  by 
the  accused,  and  were  not  retracted  by  him.  The  proof 
was  therefore  complete.  Said  accused  also  introduced  his 
own  writings  as  evidence,  v/hich  writings,  so  introduced, 
contained  the  extracts  recited  by  the  Prosecuting  Com- 
mittee in  the  several  Specifications.  If  the  accused  had 
brought  evidence  to  show  that  he  had  made  no  such  utter- 
ances as  were  contained  in  the  specifications,  then  and 
then  only  should  he  have  been  "fully  acquitted."  The 
indictment  had  been  found  in  order.  The  evidence  was 
unchallenged  and  the  judgment  should  have  been  "guilty 
as  charged." 

SPECIFICATION  THIRD. 

In  this,  that  the  said  final  judgment  of  the  said  Presby- 
tery, which  disclaims  to  be  an  expression  of  the  approval 
of  the  critical  or  theological  views  embodied  in  the  said 
Inaugural  Address,  is,  in  fact,  an  approval  of  said  critical 
or  theological  views  and  will  have  the  effect  of  encourag- 
ing the  dissemination  of  said  views  and  will  further 
increase  the  present  disquietude  in  the  said  Presbyterian 
Church  and  practically  sets  at  naught  the  declaration 


30 

of  the  General  Assembly  of  1892,  as  found  on  page  17^ 
of  its  Minutes,  in  which  said  General  Assembly  "re- 
minds all  under  its  care  that  it  is  a  fundamental  doctrine 
that  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  are  the  inspired  and 
infallible  word  of  God,"  and  that  "our  Church  holds 
that  the  inspired  Word,  as  it  came  from  God,  is  without 
error.  The  assertion  of  the  contrary  cannot  but  shake 
the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the  sacred  Books." 

SPECIFICATION  FOURTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  final  judgment  is  vague  and  un- 
certain, inasmuch  as  said  judgment  gives  due  considera- 
tion to  the  defendant's  explanation  of  the  language  used 
in  his  Inaugural  Address  and  accepts  his  disclaimer  of 
the  interpretation  which  has  been  put  upon  some  of 
its  phrases  and  illustrations,  but  does  not  specify  which 
explanations,  phrases  or  illustrations,  or  whether  such  ex- 
j)lanations  or  disclaimers  relate  to  the  portions  of  the 
said  Inaugural  Address  upon  which  the  Charges  and 
SiDecifications  are  based,  and  the  said  judgment  is  also 
vague  and  uncertain  in  the  statement  that  the  said 
accused  has  not  transgressed  the  limits  of  liberty  allowed 
under  our  Constitution  to  scholarship  and  opinion. 

SPECIFICATION  FIFTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  final  judgment  is  based  wholly, 
or  in  part,  on  the  affirmation  of  loyalty  made  by  the 
said  defendant  to  the  Standards  of  the  Church  and  to  the 
Holy  Scrij)tures,  as  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and 
practice,  when  such  affirmations  consisted  only  of  unsworn 
statements,  which  statements  were  not  competent  evidence 
and  should  have  had  no  greater  weight  or  influence  in 
shaping  the  final  judgment  than  the  ordinary  and  tech- 
nical plea  of  "not  guilty." 

SPECIFICATION  SIXTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery  received  and  was- 
moved  by  unsworn  and  improper  testimony  in  making 
its  decision  or  final  judgment,  said  improper  testimony 


31 

being  statements  and  arguments  for  the  defence  of  said 
accused,  touching  the  merits  of  the  case  and  being  ex- 
planations made  by  the  accused  of  the  language  used  in 
his  Inaugural  Address  and  also  statements  referred  to  in 
the  said  final  judgment,  as  a  frank  and  full  disclaimer  of 
the  interpretation  which  has  been  put  upon  some  of  its^ 
phrases  and  illustrations  and  in  giving  to  the  argument 
of  the  said  accused,  as  counsel  in  his  own  behalf,  the  con- 
sideration due  to  sworn  and  approbated  testimony  as 
provided  for  in  Sections  61  and  62  of  the  Book  of 
Discij)line. 

SPECIFICATION  SEVENTH. 

In  this,  that  said  final  judgment  is  vague  and  mislead 
ing  and  confounds  unjustifiable  controversy  with  useful 
and  constitutional  discipline,  ignoring  the  fact  that 
"The  ends  of  Discipline  are  the  maintenance  of  the 
truth,  the  vindication  of  the  authority  and  honor  of 
Christ,  the  removal  of  offences,  the  promotion  of  the 
purity  and  edification  of  the  Church,  and  the  spiritual 
good  of  offenders."     (Book  of  Discipline,  Sec.  2.) 

SPECIFICATION  EIGHTH. 

In  this,  that  said  final  judgment  is  misleading  and  un- 
just, because  it  evidently  but  erroneously  aims  to  set 
forth  that  there  has  been  an  effort  to  convict  the  accused 
by  inference  or  implication,  and  in  quoting  the  words 
''  there  are  truths  and  forms  with  respect  to  which  men 
of  good  character  may  differ,"  seems  to  deny  and  make 
light  of  the  well-established  principle  of  our  polity,  that 
there  are  also  truths  and  forms  with  respect  to  which  men 
of  good  character,  who  have  assumed  the  ordination 
vows  of  a  Minister  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  should  not  differ. 

SPECIFICATION  NINTH. 

In  this,  that  upon  December  28th,  1892,  when  the  Rev. 
George  Alexander,  D.  D.,  offered  a  resolution  as  fol- 
lows, to  wit : 


32 

"The  Court  deems  it  projjer  to  declare  that  a  vote  by 
any  member  of  this  Court  not  to  sustain  the  charges  pre- 
ferred against  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  does  not 
denote  approval  of  his  theological  or  critical  views  or  of  the 
manner  in  wliicli  they  have  been  advanced,  but  only  a 
judgment  that  the  specific  charges  have  not  been  estab- 
lished, ''  and  after  the  said  resolution  had  been  discussed, 
it  was  laid  on  the  table,  and  subsequently,  after  the  vote 
on  the  Charges  and  Specifications  had  been  taken  the  said 
resolution  of  Dr.  Alexander  was  again  taken  up  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  final 
judgment. 

SPECIFICATION  TENTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  Presbytery,  on  January  9tli,  A.  D. 
1893,  sitting  in  private  session,  refused  to  strike  out  of 
the  resolution  offered  by  Rev.  Geo.  Alexander,  D.D.,  and 
referred  to  in  Specification  Ninth,  the  words,  "does  not 
denote  approval  of  his  theological  or  critical  views  or 
of  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  advanced." 

SPECIFICATION  ELEVENTH. 

In  this,  that  the  said  final  judgment  of  the  said 
Presbytery  is  contradictory  in  form  and  effect,  because 
in  said  final  judgment  the  said  Judicatory  disclaimed 
agreement  with  the  critical  or  theological  views  held 
by  the  accused,  which  were  pronounced  by  said 
Judicatory  when  they  voted  not  to  sustain  the 
charges,  as  in  agreement  with  the  Scriptures  and  the 
Standards.  By  reason  of  their  ordination  vows  and  obli- 
gations, the  views  of  all  the  members  of  the  said  Judica- 
tory must  be  assumed  to  have  been  in  agreement  with  the 
Scriptures  and  Standards.  Therefore,  if  the  views  of  the 
accused  were  in  agreement  with  the  Scriptures  and  the 
Standards,  and  if  the  views  of  the  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  said  Judicatory  were  not  in  agreement  with 
those  of  the  accused,  then  the  views  of  the  majority  of 
the  members  of  the  said  Judicatory  must,  according  to 
the  final  judgment,  have  been  in  disagreement  with  the 
Scriptures  and  the  Standards. 


33 

It  cannot  be  urged  that  there  was  room  for  the  agree- 
ment of  both  the  views  of  the  accused  and  the  views  of 
the  majority  of  the  members  of  the  said  Judicatory  with 
the  Scriptures  and  the  Standards,  because  said  Judicatory 
had  already  determined  when  the  cliarges  were  pro- 
nounced sufficient  in  form  and  legal  effect,  that  the  said 
views,  if  held  by  the  accused,  constituted  an  offence.  The 
Judicatory  was  therefore  shut  up  to  one  of  two  legal  and 
proper  courses,  either  to  declare  that  they  agreed  with  the 
views  of  the  accused,  or  to  declare  that  the  views  of  the 
accused  disagreed  with  the  Scriptures  and  the  Standards. 
In  the  former  case  they  should  have  refrained  from  dis- 
claiming agreement  with  the  views  of  the  accused  ;  in  the 
latter  case  they  should  have  voted  to  sustain  the  charges. 
There  is,  therefore,  a  contradiction  in  the  form  and  effect 
of  the  final  judgment. 

And  in  conclusion  your  Appellant  prays  your  Vener- 
able Body,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  to  receive  and 
issue  this  appeal,  and  to  ta,ke  therein  such  action  as  in 
your  wisdom  may  seem  best,  in  order  to  secure  and 
preserve  the  purity  and  peace  of  our  Church. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  represented  by 


GEOKGE  W.  r.  BIKCH,] 
JOSEPH  J.  LAMPE, 
ROBEKT  F.  SAMPLE, 
JOHN  J.  STEVENSON, 
JOHN  J.  McCOOK, 


Prosecuting 
C^-nimittee, 

Appellant. 


34 


Pkesbytery  of  New  Yopjv. 

153  East  78tli  Street,  New  York, 
January  19th,  1893. 

Rev.  G.  W.  F.  Birch,  D.  D., 

Chairman  Prosecuting  Committee. 

Dear  Sir : 

I  liave  received,  in  due  time,  from  the  Prosecuting 
Committee  representing  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  the  case  of  the  said  Presby- 
terian Church  against  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
written  Notice  of  Appeal,  with  specifications  of  the  errors 
alleged  in  the  said  case,  to  the  Gfeneral  Assembly,  from 
the  decision  and  final  judgment  of  thePresbytery  of  New 
York,  entered  on  the  ninth  day  of  January,  1893,  and 
have  placed  the  same  on  file. 

Yery  truly  yours, 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTH 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 

In  the  United  States  of  America, 
^?VASHIN0T01Sr,   D.   C,   IvlAY,  1S93. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN   THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

AGAINST 

THE  REV.  CHARLES  A.  BRIGGS,  D.  D. 


Record  of  all  Proceedings  had  in  the  Presbytery 

OF  New  York,  as  shown  by  the  Minutes  of  the 

Judicatory  during  the  trial  of  the  case. 


37 


The  Following   is  a  Record   of   all   Proceedings 

HAD    IN    THE    PrESBYTERY    OF    NeW    YoRK,    AS 

shown    by    the    minutes    of    the 
Judicatory  during  the  Trial 

OF  THE  Case. 


The  Marginal  Numbers  Indicate  the  Pages  of  the  Written 
Record  of  Minutes  of  the  Presbytery. 


Lecture  Room,  Scotch  Church, 

June  13,  1892. 
The  following  attested  copy  of  the  judgment  of  the  226 
General  Assembly  in  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Churcli 
in  the  United  States  of  America  against  the  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being  an  appeal  from  the  Presbytery  of  227 
New  York  dismissing  the  case,  was  received  from  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  1  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^    ^;^^ 

United  States  of  America         I     judgment  of  the 

.      ,  >      Presbytery     of 

«^«^^^^  (      mw  Yori   dis- 

Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.     1     missing  the  case. 


The  General  Assembly  having  on  the  28th  day  of  May, 
1892,  duly  sustained  all  of  the  specifications  of  error 
alleged  and  set  forth  in  the  appeal  and  specifications  in 
this  case, 

It  is  now,  May  30,  1892,  ordered  that  the  judgment 
of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  entered  November  4, 
1891,  dismissing  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  against  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D.,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  reversed,  and 
the  case  is  remanded  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  for 
a  new  trial,  with  directions  to  said  Presbytery  to  proceed 


88 

228  to  pass  upon  and  determine  tlie  sufficiency  of  the  charges 
and  specifications  in  form  and  legal  effect,  and  to  permit 
the  Prosecuting  Committee  to  amend  the  specifications  or 
charges,  not  changing  the  general  nature  of  the  same,  if, 
in  the  furtherance  of  justice,  it  be  necessary  to  amend,  so 
that  the  case  may  be  brought  to  issue  and  tried  on  the 
merits  thereof  as  speedily  as  may  be  practicable. 

A  nd  it  is  further  ordered,  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly  return  the  record  and  certify  the  pro- 
ceedings had  thereon,  with  the  necessary  papers  relating 
thereto,  to  the  Presbytery  of  JSTew  York. 

Presbytery,  on  motion,  adopted  the  following : 

Whereas,  Presbytery  has  received  the  official  notice  of 
the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  matter  of  the 

229  appeal  against  the  Presbytery  in  dismissing  the  case 
against  the  Eev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 

Resolved,  that  in  the  judgment  of  Presbytery  the  issue 
of  the  case  is  impracticable  during  the  summer,  but  will 
receive  the  attention  of  Presbytery  on  its  re-assembling  in 
the  fall. 


253  BRIGGS  CASE. 

New  Yokk,  9th  November,  1892. 
Scotch  Church,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met,  in  accordance  with  the  direction  of  the 
General  Assembly,  to  take  up  the  judicial  case  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
against  the  Kev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D. 

Constituted  by  prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Mod'r;  Geo.  Alexan- 
der, Sam.  D.  Alexander,  Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace 
Atterbury,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bj erring,  Robert  R. 
Booth,  Samuel  Boult,  Saml.  Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner, 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  John  M.  Buchanan, 
Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Henry  B. 
Chapin,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd, 
D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant,  Thomas 


39 

Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  II.  Edwards,  Frank  F. 
Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Henry  M. 
Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  254 
Charles  H.  Gardner,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  Grand- 
lienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Ilalsey,  Wm.  R.  Har- 
shaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Spencer  L.  Hillier,  Edward 
W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  A.  D. 
Lawrence  Jewett,  Albert  B.  King,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A. 
Dunlap  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Sidney  G.  Law,  Theo- 
dore Leonhard,  Joseph  P.  Lestrade,  Milton  S.  Littleiield, 
John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  L.  Lorenz,  Geo.  C.  Lucas,  Wm. 
M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling, 
Henry  M.  McCracken,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H. 
Mcllvaine,  Alexander  H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLain, 
Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  William  L.  Moore, 
James  C.  Nightingale,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Geo.  Nixon, 
Daniel  H.  Overton,  Charles  H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  H. 
Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John  E,.  Paxton,  Wm.  M. 
Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Geo.  L. 
Prentiss,  Daniel  Redmon,  James  S.  Ramsey,  Charles  S. 
Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson, 
Robert  F.  Sample,  Josej)h  Sanderson,  Wm.  A.  Rice, 
Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  Adolphus  F.  Schauffler, 
J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  '255 
David  G.  Smith,  Roswell  D.  Smith,  Wilton  M.  Smith, 
John  M.  Stevenson,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard, 
J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining, 
Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Charles  H. 
Tyndall,  Henry  M.  Tyndal,  Henry  VanDyke,  Marvin  R. 
Vincent,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  W.  Scott 
Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  Gaylord  S. 
White,  John  T.  Wilds,  Livingston  Willard,  Geo.  W. 
Wood,  David  G.  Wylie,  Duncan  J.  McMillan. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Mem'l;  James  256 
Tompkins,  Bethany ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary,  Wm.  Mickens,  Central  ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ; 
H.  Edward  Rowland,  Fifth  Ave.  ;  Wm.  McJimp- 
fiey,    First ;    Geo.     P.     Hotaling,    First    Union ;    John 


40 

Mc William,  Fourtli ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Ave. ;  SamL 
H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Charles 
H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  Mor- 
risania  First ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York ;  G.  C. 
King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E.  Ware, 
Phillips ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
Riverdale ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers ;  Robert 
Houston,  Scotch ;  John  Denham,  Sea  and  Land ;  Joseph 
La  Boyteaux,  Seventh  ;  James  L.  Wilson,  Spring  St.  ; 
Wm.  R.  Worral],  Thirteenth  St.  ;  Thomas  Bond,  Uni- 
versity Place  ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle  ;  Wm. 
A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights ;  Robert  Jaffray, 
West ;  Clarence  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Alex'r  Wilson, 
W.  Fifty-First  St.  ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  appointed  at  the  last 
regular  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  reported  as  follows  : 

257  The  Committee  of  Arrangements  would  report  that  the 
instructions  of  Presbytery  relative  to  the  appointment  of 
an  oihcial  stenographer  has  been  fully  carried  out. 

We  have  secured  the  services  of  Mr.  Charles  A.  Mor- 
rison, who  agrees  to  furnish  three  type-written  copies  of 
the  stenographic  report  daily,  it  being  understood  that 
the  official  report  is  the  exclusive  property  of  the  Presby- 
tery. 

The  Committee  also  reports  that  sufficient  space  has 
been  reserved  for  members  of  the  Presbytery  and  visiting 
clergymen,  and  the  families  of  those  most  interested  in 
the  proceedings ;  the  remainder  of  the  space  to  be  open 
to  the  public. 

The  rex)ort  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

258  By  direction  of  Presbytery,  the  Moderator  appointed, 
as  an  additional  temporary  clerk,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Douglas. 

The  Moderator  now  announced  that  the  Body  was  now 
about  to  be  constituted  a  Court  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  he 
solemnly  admonished  the  members  of  Presbytery  to  recol- 
lect and  regard  the  high  character  of  the  position  they 
were  to  occupy  as  Judges. 


41 

The  following  action  of  the  General  Assembly  was  then 
read.     (See  page  227  of  this  volume.) 

Whereupon  the  Moderator  asked  if  the  Charges  and 
Specifications,  before  presented,  were  to  be  those  upon 
which  the  trial  was  to  proceed,  or  if  the  Prosecuting 
Committee  wished  to  present  amended  Charges  and  Speci- 
fications. 

Dr.  Briggs  then  submitted  the  following  objections  to 
the  procedure : 

I  do  hereby  submit  to  Presbytery  the  following  objec-  ^oQ- 
tions  to  the  procedure  : 

1.  A  Committee  originally  appointed  to  "arrange  and 
prepare  the  necessary  proceedings  appropriate  in  the  case 
of  Dr.  Briggs,"  appears  before  you  claiming  to  be  a 
Committee  of  Prosecution^  and  they  are  recognized  as 
such  by  the  Moderator,  giving  them  the  floor  to  act  in 
that  capacity.  But  their  right  so  to  act  is  legally  ques- 
tioned by  complaint  to  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  it 
has  not  yet  been  lawfully  determined  by  the  Synod. 

2.  This  Committee  appeared  before  the  last  General 
Assembly  as  an  original  party ^  and  acted  as  such  by 
presenting  an  appeal  against  the  judgment  of  the  Presby- 
tery in  dismissing  the  case  against  me.  They  now  appear 
before  j^ou  as  an  original  party,  successful  in  their 
appeal.  Their  right  to  act  as  an  original  party  is  ques- 
tioned in  the  said  complaint,  and  it  has  not  been  lawfully  260 
determined  by  the  Synod. 

3.  This  Committee  claims  to  represent  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  to  be  inde- 
pendent of  this  Presbytery  which  appointed  them.  They 
acted  independently  of  the  Presbytery  by  aj)pealing  to 
the  General  Assembly  against  the  judgment  of  the  Pres- 
bytery in  dismissing  the  case  against  me.  They  now  ap- 
pear before  you  with  a  reversal  of  the  judgment  of  the 
Presbytery  which  they  have  obtained.  Their  right  to  act 
index)endently  of  the  Presbytery  is  questioned  in  the  said 
complaint  and  it  has  not  yet  been  lawfully  determined  by 
the  Synod. 


42 

4.  This  Committee  appears  before  you,  having  acted,  as 
is  claimed,  in  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church, 
which  provides  that  when  a  complaint  has  been  signed  by 
more  than  one-third  of  those  present  and  voting  in  the  Pres- 
^^1  by  tery,  it  acts  as  a  stay  to  further  proceedings .  The  above- 
mentioned  complaint,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  voters, 
has  been  filed  with  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  has  been 
found  in  order  by  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  is  now  in 
possession  of  that  Synod.  Until  the  questions  raised  in 
such  complaint  have  been  determined,  this  Committee 
cannot  legally  take  any  action  in  the  matters  complained 
of.  They  cannot  act  as  a  Prosecuting  Committee,  or  as 
an  original  party,  or  as  independent  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  you  cannot  allow  them  so  to  act  without  a  viola- 
tion of  the  law  of  comx^laint  embedded  in  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Church. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Synod  of  New  York  suggested  that 
the  complainants,  being,  according  to  the  number  of  signers 
in  the  comx)laint,  a  majority  of  the  Presbytery,  "may 
have  the  remedy  in  their  own  hands,"  the  Presbytery 
are  respectfully  requested  to  apply  the  said  remedy  and 
in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, to  determine  these  preliminary  objections. 

[Signed.]     C.  A.  Briggs. 
562      Elder  John  J.  McCook,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee, 
was  then  heard  in  reply  to  these  objections. 

A  point  of  order  was  here  raised  as  to  whether  any- 
thing is  in  order  except  the  consideration  of  the  specilic 
action  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  Moderator  decided  that  the  point  of  order  was  well 
taken.  That  the  raising  of  the  question  of  the  status  of 
the  Prosecuting  Committee  and  of  its  right  to  appear  and 
continue  the  conduct  of  this  case  is  not  now  in  order  for 
these  reasons  : 

1  st.  That  this  whole  question  was  fully  discussed  and 
decided  by  the  Judicial  Committee  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

2d.  That  the  recognition  of  the  status  of  the  Committee 
and  its  powers  as  defined  in  the  appeal  were  embodied  in 


43 

the    Judicial    Committee's    report,    recommending    tlie 
entertainment  of  the  appeal. 

3d.  That  in  the  minutes  of   the  General   Assembly,   263 
giving  its  findings  in  the  case,  the  Committee's  status  is 
clearly  recognized. 

4th.  That  the  protest  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  tlie 
General  Assembly  by  those  objecting  to  its  action,  was 
based,  on  the  fact,  that  its  action  in  entertaining  the 
appeal  gave  the  committee  the  standing  and  powers 
claimed  for  it ;  and 

Lastly.  That  the  order  sending  the  case  again  to  this 
Presbytery,  requiring  us  to  proceed  to  pass  upon  and 
determine  the  sufficiency  of  the  Charges  and  Specifications, 
as  to  form  and  legal  effect,  and  to  proceed  with  the  trial,  this 
being  the  single  point  before  us  to  be  acted  upon,  there- 
fore the  Moderator' s  decision  is,  that  this  question  is  out 
of  order. 

An    appeal    to    the    house    against    the    Moderator's 
decision  was  then  taken.      On  a  vote  being  taken,    m   264 
division  was  called  for,  which  resulted  in  73  to  58  in  favor 
of  the  Moderator' s  decision. 

Dr.  Briggs  then  gave  notice  of  an  ax)peal  and  complaint 
to  the  Synod. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  now  declared  that  they 
Avere  ready  to  present  Amended  Charges  and  Specifica- 
tions. 

Dr.  Briggs  assented. 

On  motion  they  were  permitted  to  ]3resent  such 
Amended  Charges  and  Specifications  as  follows : 


44 


264  PRESBYTERY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  PRESBYTERiAisr  CiiuRcn  in  the  United   States 
OF  America 

AGAINST 

The  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D. 


AMENDED  CHARGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS, 


Charge  I. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Re^.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being 

265  a  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  the  Reason 
is  a  fountain  of  divine  authority  which  may  and  does 
Savingly  enlighten  men,  even  such  men  as  reject  the 
Scriptures  as  the  authoritative  proclamation  of  the  will 
of  God  and  reject  also  the  way  of  salvation  through  the 
mediation  and  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God  as  revealed 
therein;  which  is  contrary  to  the  essential  doctrine  of 
the  Holy  Scripture  and  of  the  Standards  of  the  said 
Church,  that  the  Holy  Scripture  is  most  necessary,  and 
the  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

SPECIFICATION  I. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20th,  1891, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robin- 
son Chair  of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been 

266  published  and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge 
and  approval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
and  has  been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with 
a  preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following 
sentences : 


45 

Page  24,  lines  7-10  and  31-33  : 

''  Divine  authority  is  the  only  authority  to  which  man 
can  yield  implicit  obedience,  on  which  he  can  rest  in 
loving  certainty  and  build  with  joyous  confidence.  *  *  * 
There  are  historically  three  great  fountains  of  divine 
authority — the  Bible,  the  Church,  and  the  Reason." 

Page  27,  lines  9  to  21  : 

"Martineau  could  not  find  divine  authority  in  the 
Church  or  the  Bible,  but  he  did  find  God  enthroned  in 
his  own  soul.  There  are  those  who  would  refuse  these 
rationalists  a  place  in  the  company  of  the  faithful.  But 
they  forget  tliat  the  essential  thing  is  to  find  God  and 
divine  certainty,  and  if  these  men  have  found  God  with- 
out the  mediation  of  Church  and  Bible,  Church  and 
Bible  are  means  and  not  ends  ;  they  are  avenues  to  God,  267 
but  are  not  God.  We  regret  that  these  rationalists  de- 
preciate the  means  of  grace  so  essential  to  most  of  us, 
but  we  are  w^arned  lest  we  commit  a  similar  error,  and 
depreciate  the  reason  and  the  Christian  consciousness." 

Inaugural  Address,  Appendix,  Second  Edition,  pages 
88,  89 : 

"  (c.)  Unless  God's  authority  is  discerned  in  the  forms 
of  the  Reason,  there  is  no  ground  upon  which  any  of 
the  heathen  could  ever  have  been  saved,  for  they  know 
nothing  of  Bible  or  Church.  If  they  are  not  savingly 
enlightened  by  the  Light  of  the  World  in  the  forms  of 
the  Reason  the  whole  heathen  w^orld  is  lost  forever." 

SPECIFICATION  IL 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20th,  1891, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robin- 
son  Chair  of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been 
published  and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge 
and  approval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
and  has  been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition 
with  a  preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  follow- 
ing sentences : 


46 

Page  28,  lines  1  to  22 : 

"(3.)  The  Authority  of  Holy  Scripture. — We  have 
examined  the  Church  and  the  Reason  as  seats  of  divine 
authority  in  an  introduction  to  our  theme,  the  Authority 
of  the  Scriptures^  because  they  open  our  eyes  to  see  mis- 
takes that  are  common  to  the  three  departments.  Prot- 
estant Christianity  builds  its  faith  and  life  on  the  divine 
authority  contained  in  the  Scriptures,  and  too  often 
depreciates  the  Church  and  the  Reason.  Spurgeon  is  an 
exami)le  of  the  average  modern  Evangelical,  who  holds 
the  Protestant  position,  and  assails  the  Church  and 
Reason  in  the  interest  of  the  authority  of  Scripture.  But 
the  average  opinion  of  the  Christian  world  would  not 
assign  him  a  higher  place  in  the  kingdom  of  God  than 
Martineau  or  Newman.  May  we  not  conclude,  on  the 
whole,  that  these  three  representative  Christians  of  our 
time,  living  in  or  near  the  world's  metropolis,  have,  each 
in  his  way,  found  God  and  rested  on  divine  authority? 
May  we  not  learn  from  them  not  to  depreciate  any  of  the 
means  whereby  God  makes  himself  known  to  men  ?  Men 
are  influenced  by  their  temperaments  and  environments 
w^hich  of  the  three  ways  of  access  to  God  they  may 
pursue." 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  Scripture  : 

Isaiah  viii.  20.  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony :  if 
they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there 
is  no  light  in  them. 

Matt.  X.  32,  33. — 32  Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess 

me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my  Father 

270  w^hich  is  in  heaven.     33  But  whosoever  shall  deny  me 

before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny  before  my  Father  which 

is  in  heaven. 

Luke  xvi.  29-31. — 29  Abraham  saith  unto  him.  They 
have  Moses  and  the  prophets  ;  let  them  hear  them.  30 
And  he  said,  Nay,  father  Abraham  :  but  if  one  went  unto 
them  from  the  dead,  they  will  repent.  31  And  he  said 
unto  him.  If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets, 
neither  will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose  from  the 
dead. 


47 

John  V.  39.  Searcli  the  Scriptures  ;  for  in  them  ye 
think  ye  have  eternal  life  ;  And  they  are  they  which 
testify  of  me. 

John  xiv.  6.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  and 
the  truth,  and  the  life :  no  man  corneth  unto  the  Father, 
but  by  me. 

1  John  V.  10.  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God 
hath  the  witness  in  himself :  he  tliat  believeth  not  God 
hath  made  him  a  liar,  because  he  believeth  not  the  record 
that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

Gal.  i.  9.    As  we  said  before,   so  say  I  now  again,  If 
any  inian  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  271 
have  received,  let  him  be  accursed. 

2  Timothy  iii.  15-17. — 15  And  that  from  a  child  thou 
hast  known  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make 
thee  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  16  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
for  instruction  in  righteousness :  17  That  the  man  of 
God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good 
works. 

2  Peter  i.  19-21. — 19  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word 
of  prophecy  ;  whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  lieed,  as 
unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day 
dawn,  and  the  day  star  arise  in  your  hearts  :  20  Knowing 
this  first,  that  no  prophecy  of  the  Scripture  is  of  any 
private  interpretation.  21  For  the  prophecy  came  not  in 
old  time  by  the  will  of  man  :  but  holy  men  of  God  spake 
as  they  loere  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Standards  :  272' 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  L,  Sees.  I.,  Y.,  YI.,  X. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of  crea- 
tion and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  goodness, 
wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inexcusable  ; 
yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that  knowledge  of  God^ 
and  of  his  will,  lohicli  is  necessary  unto  salvation; 
therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry  times,  and  in 
divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to  declare  that  liis 
will  unto  his  church ;    and,  afterwards,  for  the  better 


48 

preserving  and  propagating  of  the  trutli,  and  for  the  more 
sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the  church  against  the 
corruption  of  the  flesh,  and  the  malice  of  Satan  and  of 
the  world,  to  commit  the  same  loholly  unto  loriting : 
whicJi  maketh  the  Holy  Scripture  to  he  most  necessary  ; 
those  former  ways  of  God's  revealing  his  will  unto  his 

273  people  being  now  ceased. 

Y,  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the  Holy 
Scripture ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter,  the 
efficacy  of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the 
consent  of  all  the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which  is 
to  give  all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes  of 
the  only  loay  of  man^  s  salvation^  the  many  other  incom- 
parable excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection  thereof, 
are  arguments  whereby  it  doth  abundantly  evidence 
itself  to  be  the  word  of  God ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  our 
full  persuasion  and  assurance  of  the  infallible  truth,  and 
divine  authority  thereof,  is  from  the  inward  work  of  the 
Hol}^  Spirit,  hearing  witness  hy  and  with  the  word  in 
OUT  hearts. 

274  VI-  Th^  whole  counsel  of  God^  concerning  all  things 
necessary  for  his  own  glory  ^  man!  s  salvation,  faith.,  and 
life.,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or  hy 
good  and  necessary  consequence  may  he  deduced  from 
Scripture:  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  he 
added.,  lohether  hy  new  revelations  of  the  Spirit,  or  tra- 
ditions of  men.  Nevertheless  we  acknowledge  the  in- 
ward illumination  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  be  necessary  for 
the  saving  understanding  of  such  things  as  are  revealed 
in  the  word  ;  and  that  there  are  some  circumstances  con- 
cerning the  worship  of  God,  and  government  of  the 
church,  common  to  human  actions  and  societies,  which 
are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature  and  Christian 
prudence,  according  to  the  general  rules  of  the  word, 
which  are  always  to  be  observed. 

X.  The  Supreme  Judge,  by  which  all  controversies  of 
religion  are  to  be  determined,  and  all  decrees  of  councils, 


49 

opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doctrines  of  men,  and  private  275 
spirits,  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence  we 
are  to  rest,  can  he  no  other  hut  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking 
in  the  Scripture. 

Larger  Catechism. 

Q.  2.  Hoio  doth  it  aj)pear  that  there  is  a  God  f 

A.  The  very  light  of  nature  in  man,  and  tlie  works  of 
God,  declare  plainly  that  there  is  a  God  ;  hut  his  word 
and  Spirit  only,  do  sufficiently  and  effectually  reveal 
him  unto  men  for  their  salvation. 

Q.  3.    What  is  the  Word  of  God? 

A.  The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ment are  the  word  of  God,  tlie  only  rule  of  faith  and 
ohedience. 

Shorter  Catechism. 

Q.  2.  What  rule  hath  God  given  to  direct  us  hoio  we 
may  glorify  and,  enjoy  him  f 

A.  The  word  of  God,  which  is  contained  in  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the  only  rule 
to  direct  us  hoio  loe  may  glorify  and  enjoy  him. 

Charge  II.  319 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being 
a  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  the  Church 
Is  a  fountain  of  divine  authority  which,  apart  from  the 
Holy  Scripture,  may  and  does  savingly  enlighten  men  ; 
which  is  contrary  to  the  essential  doctrine  of  the  Holy 
Scripture  and  of  the  Standards  of  the  said  Chun^h,  that 
the  Holy  Scripture  is  most  necessarj^  and  the  rule  of  faith 
and  practice. 

SPECIFICATION  I 

In  an  inaugural  address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi-  320 
nary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 


50 

occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 
of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  w^ith  the  knowledge  and  ap- 
proval of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a  preface 
and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following  sentences  : 

Page  24,  lines  7-10  and  31-33  : 

''  Divine  authority  is  the  only  authority  to  which  man 
can  yield  implicit  obedience,  on  which  he  can  rest  in 
loving  certainty  and  build  with  Joyous  confidence.  *  "^  * 
There  are  historically  three  great  fountains  of  divine 
authority — the  Bible,  the  Church,  and  the  Reason. 

Page  25,  lines  1  to  14,  inclusive  : 

'*(!.)  The  Authority  of  the  Church. — The  majority  of 
Christians  from  the  apostolic  age  have  found  God  through 
321  the  Church.  Martyrs  and  Saints,  Fathers  and  Schoolmen, 
the  profoundest  intellects,  the  saintliest  lives,  have  had 
this  experience.  Institutional  Christianity  has  been  to 
them  the  presence-chamber  of  God.  They  have  therein 
and  thereby  entered  into  communion  with  all  saints.  It 
is  difficult  for  many  Protestants  to  regard  this  experience 
as  any  other  than  pious  illusion  and  delusion.  But  what 
shall  we  say  of  a  modern  like  Newman,  who  could  not 
reach  certainty,  striving  never  so  hard,  through  the  Bible 
or  the  Reason,  but  who  did  find  divine  authority  in  the 
institutions  of  the  Church  % ' ' 

SPECIFICATION  II. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nar}^ in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 
3^?2  <^f  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  and  ap- 
proval of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a 
preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following: 
sentences : 


01 

Page  28,  lines  1  to  22,  are : 

"(3.)  The  Authority  of  IIolij  Scripture. — We  have 
examined  the  Church  and  the  Reason  as  seats  of  divine 
authority  in  an  introduction  to  our  theme,  the  Authority 
of  the  Scriptures^  because  they  open  our  eyes  to  see  mis- 
takes that  are  common  to  the  three  departments.  Prot- 
estant Christianity  builds  its  faith  and  life  on  the  divine 
authority  contained  in  the  Scriptures,  and  too  often  de- 
preciates the  Church  and  the  Reason.  Spurgeon  is  an 
example  of  the  average  modern  Evangelical,  who  holds 
the  Protestant  position,  and  assails  the  Church  and 
Reason  in  the  interest  of  the  authority  of  Scripture.  But 
the  average  opinion  of  the  Christian  world  would  not 
assign  him  a  higher  j^lace  in  the  kingdom  of  God  than  323 
Martineau  or  Newman.  May  we  not  conclude,  on  the 
whole,  that  these  three  representative  Christians  of  our 
time,  living  in  or  near  the  world's  metropolis,  have,  each 
in  his  way,  found  God  and  rested  on  divine  authority  ? 
May  we  not  learn  from  them  not  to  depreciate  any  of  the 
means  whereby  God  makes  himself  known  to  men  ?  Men 
are  influenced  by  their  temperaments  and  environments 
which  of  the  three  ways  of  access  to  God  they  may 
pursue." 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture. 

Isaiah  viii.  20.  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony  :  if 
they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there 
is  no  light  in  them. 

Matt.  X.  32,  33. — 32  Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess 
me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.    33  But  whosoever  shall   deny  me  324 
before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny  before  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven. 

Luke  xvi.  29-31. — 29  Abraham  saitli  unto  him.  They 
have  Moses  and  the  prophets  ;  let  them  hear  them.  30  And 
he  said,  Nay,  father  Abraham :  but  if  one  went  unto  them 
from  the  dead,  they  will  repent.  31  And  he  said  unto 
him.  If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets,  neither 
will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose  from  the  dead. 


52 

John  V.  39.  Searcli  the  Scriptures :  for  in  them  ye 
think  ye  have  eternal  life  :  And  they  are  they  which  testify 
of  me. 

John  xiv.  6.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  and 
the  truth  and  the  life  :  no  man  comet h  unto  the  Father 
but  by  me. 

1  John  V.  10.     He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God 

325  hath  the  witness  in  himself :  he  that  believeth  not  God, 
hath  made  him  a  liar,  because  he  believeth  not  the  record 
that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

Gal.  i.  9.  As  we  said  before,  so  say  I  now  again,  if  any 
man  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have 
received,  let  him  be  accursed. 

2  Timothy  iii.  15-17. — 15  And  that  from  a  child  thou 
hast  known  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  ma.ke 
thee  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  16  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  i)rofitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
for  instruction  in  righteousness  :  17  That  the  man  of  God 
may  be  perfect,  thoroughlj^  furnished  unto  all  good 
works. 

2  Peter  i.  19-21. — 19  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word 

326  of  prophecy  ;  whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ^^e  take  heed,  as 
unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day 
dawn,  and  the  day  star  arise  in  your  hearts :  20  Knowing 
this  first,  that  no  prophecy  of  the  Scrij^ture  is  of  any 
private  interpretation.  21  For  the  prophecy  came  not  in 
old  time  by  the  will  of  man  :  but  Holy  men  of  God  spake 
as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Standards  : 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  1.,  Sees.  I.,  Y.,  VL,  X. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of  crea- 
tion and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  goodness,  wis- 
dom, and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inexcusable  ;  yet 
tJtey  o.re  not  sufficient  to  give  that  Icnowledge  of  God^  and 
of  his  will,  which  is  necessary  unto  salvation  ;  therefore 
it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundrj^  times,  and  in  divers  man- 
ners, to  reveal  himself,  and  to  declare  that  Ms  will  unto 


53 

Ms  church  :  and  afterwards,  for  the  better  preserving  and  327 
propagating  of  the  truth,  and  for  the  more  sure  establish- 
ment and  comfort  of  the  church  against  the  corruption  of 
the  flesh,  and  the  malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to 
commit  the  same  wliolly  unto  loriting :  which  makei?i  the 
Holy  Scripture  to  he  most  necessary ;  those  former  ways 
of  God's  revealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now 
ceased. 

Y.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony  of 
the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the  Holy 
Scripture  ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter,  the  efficacy 
of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the  consent  of  all 
the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  Twhich  is  to  give  all 
glory  to  God. )  the  full  discovery  it  makes  of  the  only  way 
of  mart  s  salvation,  the  many  other  incomparable  excel- 
lencies, and  the  entire  p-erfection  thereof,  are  arguments 
whereby  it  doth  abundantly  evidence  itself  to  be  the  word  393 
of  God  :  yt*t.  notwithstanding,  our  full  persuasion  and 
assurance  of  the  infallible  truth,  and  divine  authority 
thereof,  is  from  the  inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bear- 
ing witness  by  and  wit7i  the  icord  in  our  hearts. 

\1.  The  whole  counsel  of  God.  concerning  all  things 
necessary  for  his  own  glory,  man' s  sal-cation,  faith,  and 
life,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or  by  good 
and  necessary  consequence  may  be  deduced  from  Scrip- 
ture :  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be  added, 
whether  by  new  revelations  of  thee  Spirit,  or  traditions  of 
men.  Nevertheless  we  acknowledge  the  inward  illumina- 
tion of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  be  necessary  for  the  saving 
understanding  of  such  things  as  are  revealed  in  the  word  : 
and  that  there  are  some  circumstances  concerning  the  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  government  of  the  church,  common  to 
human  actions  and  societies,  which  are  to  be  ordered  by 
the  light  of  nature  and  Christian  prudence,  according  to 
the  general  rules  of  the  word,  which  are  always  to  be  329 
observed. 

X.   The  Supreme  /w^^^,  by  which  all  controversies  of 
religion  are  to  be  determined,  and  all  decrees  of  councils, 


54 

opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doctrines  of  men,  and  private 
spirits,  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence  we  are 
to  rest,  can  be  no  other  hut  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking  in 
the  Scripture. 

Larger  Catechism. 

Q.  2.  Hoio  doth  it  appear  that  there  is  a  God  f 

A.  The  very  light  of  nature  in  man,  and  the  works  of 
God,  declare  plainly  that  there  is  a  God  ;  hut  his  loord 
and  Sx)irit  only^  do  sufficiently  and  effectually  reveal  him 
unto  men  for  their  salvation. 

Q.  3.    What  is  the  woi^d  of  God  f 

A.  The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament 
are  the  word  of  God,  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  obedience. 

330  Shorter  Catechism. 

Q.  2.  What  rule  hath  God  given  to  direct  us  hoio  loe 
may  glorify  and  enjoy  him  f 

A.  The  word  of  God,  which  is  contained  in  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the  only  rule  to 
direct  us  hoio  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy  him. 

Chaege  III. 

276  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being  a 
Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  errors  may  have 
existed  in  the  original  text  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  as  it 
came  from  its  authors,  which  is  contrary  to  the  essential 
docti-ine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scripture  and  in  the  Standards 
of  the  said  Church,  that  the  Holy  Scripture  is  the  Word 
of  God  written,  immediately  inspired,  and  the  rule  of 
faith  and  practice. 

SPECIFICATION. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  l3.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robin- 


/)5 

son  Chair  of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been 
published  and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  277 
and  approval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
and  has  been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with 
a  preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following 
sentences,  beginning  with  line  4  of  page  35 : 

*'I  shall  venture  to  affirm  that,  so  far  as  I  can  see, 
there  are  errors  in  the  Scriptures  that  no  one  has 
been  able  to  explain  away  ;  and  the  theory  that  they 
were  not  in  the  original  text  is  sheer  assumption,  upon 
which  no  mind  can  rest  with  certainty.  If  such  errors 
destroy  the  authority  of  the  Bible,  it  is  already  destroyed 
for  historians.  Men  cannot  shut  their  eyes  to  truth  and 
fact.  But  on  what  authority  do  these  theologians  drive 
men  from  the  Bible  by  this  theory  of  inerrancy  ?  The 
Bible  itself  nowhere  makes  this  claim.  The  creeds  of  the 
Church  nowhere  sanction  it.  It  is  a  ghost  of  modern 
evangelicalism  to  frighten  children.  The  Bible  has  main- 
tained its  authority  with  the  best  scholars  of  our  time,  278 
who  with  open  minds  have  been  willing  to  recognize  any 
error  that  might  be  pointed  out  by  Historical  Criticism  ; 
for  these  errors  are  all  in  the  circumstantials  and  not  in 
the  essentials  ;  they  are  in  the  human  setting,  not  in  the 
precious  jewel  itself;  they  are  found  in  that  section  of 
the  Bible  tliat  theologians  commonly  account  for  from 
the  providential  superintendence  of  the  mind  of  the  au- 
thor, as  distinguished  from  divine  revelation  itself.  It 
maybe  that  this  providential  superintendence  gives  infalli- 
ble guidance  in  every  particular  ;  and  it  may  be  that  it  dif- 
fers but  little,  if  at  all,  from  the  j^rovidential  superinten- 
dence of  the  fathers  and  schoolmen  and  theologians  of  the 
Christian  Church.  It  is  not  important  for  our  purpose  that 
we  should  decide  this  question.  If  we  should  abandon 
the  whole  field  of  i)rovidential  superintendence  so  far  as  279 
insx)iration  and  divine  authority  are  concerned  and  limit 
divine  inspiration  and  authority  to  the  essential  con- 
tents of  the  Bible,  to  its  religion,  faith,  and  morals,  we 
would  still  have  ample  room  to  seek  divine  authority 
where  alone  it  is  essential,  or  even  important,  in  the  teach- 


56 

ing  tliat  guides  our  devotions,    our  thinking,    and  our 
conduct." 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  statements  of 
Scripture : 

Zech.  vii.  12.  Yea,  they  made  their  hearts  as  an  ada- 
mant stone,  lest  they  should  hear  the  law,  and  the  words 
which  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  sent  in  his  Spirit  by  the 
former  prophets  :  therefore  came  a  great  wrath  from  the 
Lord  of  hosts. 

Mark  vii.  13.  Making  the  word  of  God  of  none  effect 
through  yoiir  tradition,  which  ye  have  delivered :  and 
many  such  like  things  do  ye. 

Romans  iii.  1,  2. — 1    What  advantage  then  hath  the 

280  Jew  I  or  what  profit  is  there  of  circumcision  ?  2  Much 
every  way :  chiefiy,  because  that  unto  them  were  com- 
mitted the  oracles  of  God. 

1  Cor.  ii.  13.  Which  things  also  we  speak,  not  in  the 
words  which  man's  wisdom  teacheth,  but  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  teacheth  ;  comparing  spiritual  things  with  spiritual. 

Galatians  iii.  8.  And  the  Scripture,  foreseeing  that 
God  would  justify  the  heathen  through  faith,  preached 
before  the  Gospel  unto  Abraham,  saying^  In  thee  shall 
all  nations  be  blessed. 

2  Pet.  i.  20,  21. — 20  Knowing  this  first,  that  no  proph- 
ecy of  the  Scripture  is  of  any  private  interpretation.  21 
For  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of  man  r 
but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

2  Tim.  iii.  16.  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of 
God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
rection, for  instruction  in  righteousness. 

281  These  statements  are  contrary  to  the  Standards. 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  L,  Sees.  L,  II.,  lY.,  YIII. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of  crea- 
tion and  providence  do  so  far  manifest  the  goodness, 
wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inexcusable  ; 
yet  are  they  not  sufficient  to  give  that  knowledge  of  God^ 
and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessary  unto  salvation  ;  there- 


57 

fore  it  pleased  the  Lord^  at  sundry  tlmes^  and  in  divers 
manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to  declare  that  Ms  will 
unto  Ms  church  ;  and  afterwards^  for  the  better  preserv- 
ing and  propagating  of  the  truth,  and  for  the  more  sure 
establishment  and  comfort  of  the  church  against  the  cor- 
ruption of  the  flesh,  and  the  malice  of  Satan  and  of  the 
world,  to  commit  the  same  wholly  unto  loriting  ;  which 
maketh  the  Holy  Scripture  to  be  most  necessary  ;  those 
former  ways  of  God's  revealing  his  will  unto  his  people 
being  now  ceased. 

II.  Under  the  name  of  Holy  Scripture,  or  the  word  of  282 
God  written^  are  now  contained  all  the  books  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  which  are  these : 

OF    THE    OLD    TESTAMENT. 


Genesis. 

II.  Chronicles. 

Daniel. 

Exodus. 

Ezra. 

Hosea. 

Leviticus. 

Nehemiah. 

Joel. 

Numbers. 

Esther. 

Amos. 

Deuteronomy. 

Job. 

Obadiah. 

Joshua. 

Psalms. 

Jonah. 

Judges. 

Proverbs. 

Micah. 

Kuth. 

Ecclesiastes. 

Nahum. 

I.  Samuel. 

The  Song  of  Songs. 

Habakkuk. 

II.  Satnuel. 

Isaiah. 

Zephaniah. 

I.  Kings. 

Jeremiah. 

Haggai. 

II.   Kings. 

Lamentations. 

Zechariah. 

I.   Chronicles. 

Ezekiel. 

Malachi. 

OF    THE   NEW    TESTAMENT. 

The  Gospels  accord-      Corinthians  H. 

The  Epistle   to   the 

ing  to 

Galatians. 

Hebrews. 

Matthew, 

Ephesians. 

The  Epistle  of  James. 

Mark, 

Philippians. 

The  first  and  second 

Luke, 

Colossians. 

Epistles  of  Peter. 

John. 

Thessalonians  I. 

The  first,  second  and 

The  Acts  of  the 

Thessalonians  II. 

third    EjDistles     of 

Apostles. 

To  Timothy,  I. 

John. 

Paul's  Epistles  to  the     To  Timothy,  II. 

The  Epistle  of  Jude. 

Romans. 

To  Titus. 

The  Revelation. 

Corinthians  I. 

To  Philemon. 

All  which  are  given  hy  inspiration  of  God  to  he  the 
rule  of  faith  and  life. 


283 


68 

IV. — The  authority  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  for  which 
it  ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed,  deyendeth  not  upon 
the  testimony  of  any  man-  or  church,  hut  wholly  upon 
God,  (who  is  truth  itself,)  the  author  thereof ;  and  there- 
fore it  is  to  he  received,  because  it  is  the  word  of  God. 

284  yill. — The  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew,  (which  was  the 
native  language  of  the  people  of  God  of  old,)  and  the  New 
Testament  in  Greek,  (which  at  the  time  of  the  writing  of 
it  was  most  generally  known  to  the  nations,)  being  imme- 
diately inspired  by  God,  and  by  his  singular  care  and 
providence,  kept  pure  in  all  ages,  are  therefore  authentical; 
so  as  in  all  controversies  of  religion  the  Church  is  finally 
to  appeal  unto  them.  But  because  these  original  tongues 
are  not  known  to  all  the  people  of  God  who  have  right 
unto,  and  interest  in  the  Scriptures,  and  are  commanded, 
in  the  fear  of  God,  to  read  and  search  them,  therefore 
they  are  to  be  translated  into  the  vulgar  language  of  every 
nation  unto  which  they  come,  that  the  word  of  God 
dwelling  plentifully  in  all,  they  may  worship  him  in  an 
acceptable  manner,  and,  through  patience  and  comfort  of 
the  Scriptures,  may  have  hope. 

Charge  IY. 

2^5  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D.,  being 
a  Minister  in  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  many  of  the  Old 
Testament  predictions  have  been  reversed  by  history,  and 
that  the  great  body  of  Messianic  prediction  has  not  been 
and  cannot  be  fulfilled,  which  is  contrary  to  the  essential 
doctrine  of  Holy  Scripture  and  of  the  Standards  of  the  said 
Church,  that  God  is  true,  omniscient  and  unchangeable. 

SPECIFICATION. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 


59 

of  Biblical  Theology,  wliich  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  and  ap-  286 
proval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a  pref- 
ace and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following  sen- 
tences : 

Page  38,  lines  20  to  30  : 

"(6.)  Minute  Prediction.— Another  barrier  to  the 
Bible  has  been  the  interpretation  put  upon  Predictive 
Prophecy  making  it  a  sort  of  history  before  the  time,  and 
looking  anxiously  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  details  of 
Biblical  prediction.  Kuenen  has  shown  that  if  we  insist 
upon  the  fulfillment  of  the  details  of  the  predictive 
prophecy  of  the  Old  Testament,  many  of  these  predictions 
have  been  reversed  by  history  ;  and  the  great  body  of  tlie 
Messianic  prediction  has  not  only  never  been  fulfilled,  but 
€annot  now  be  fulfilled,  for  the  reason  that  its  own  time 
has  passed  forever." 

This  declaration  is  contrary  to  Scripture  :  287 

Matt.  V.  17,  18.— 17  Think  not  I  am  come  to  destroy  the 
law,  or  the  prophets :  I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to 
fulfill.  18  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Till  heaven  and 
earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  no  wise  pass  from 
the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled. 

Matt.  xxiv.  15.  When  ye,  therefore,  shall  see  the 
abomination  of  desolation,  spoken  of  by  Daniel  the 
prophet,  stand  in  the  holy  place,  (whoso  readeth,  let  him 
understand.) 

Dan.  xii.  11.  And  from  the  time  tJiat  the  daily  sacrifice 
shall  be  taken  away,  and  the  abomination  that  maketh 
desolate  set  up,  tJiere  shall  he  a  thousand  two  hundred 
and  ninety  days. 

Luke  xxiv.  44.  And  he  said  unto  them.  These  are  the 
words  which  I  spake  unto  you,  while  I  was  yet  with  you, 
that  all  things  must  be  fulfilled  which  were  written  in  the 
law  of  Moses,  and  in  the  prophets,  and  in  the  psalms, 
concerning  me. 

Exodus  xxxiv.  6.    And  the  Lord  passed  by  before  him,   288 
and  proclaimed.  The  Lord,  The  Lord  God,  merciful  and 


60 

gracious,  long  suffering,  and  abundant  in  goodness  and 
trutli. 

Hebrews  iv.  13.  Neither  is  there  any  creature  that  is 
not  manifest  in  his  sight :  but  all  things  are  naked  and 
opened  unto  the  eyes  of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do. 

James  i.  17.  Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is 
from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights, 
with  whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning. 

This  declaration  is  contrary  to  Xh.^  Standards  : 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Section  IV. 

The  autliority  of  the  Holy  Scri'pture,  for  which  it 
ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed,  dependeth  not  upon  the 
testimony  of  any  man  or  church,  but  wholly  upon  God, 
{loho  is  truth  itself^)  the  author  thereof ;  and  therefore 
it  is  to  be  received,  because  it  is  the  word  of  God. 

289  Chap.  II.,  Sec.  I.,  11. 

I.  There  is  but  one  only  living  and  true  God,  who  is 
inlinite  in  being  and  perfection,  a  most  pure  spirit,  in- 
visible, without  body,  parts,  or  passions,  immutable^  im- 
mense, eternal,  incomprehensible,  almighty,  raost  wise, 
most  holy,  most  free,  most  absolute,  worJciug  all  things 
according  to  the  counsel  of  his  oion  immutable  and  most 
righteous  loill,  for  his  own  glory  ;  most  loving,  gracious, 
merciful,  long  suffering,  abundant  in  goodness  and  truth, 
forgiving  iniquity,  transgression,  and  sin ;  the  rewarder  of 
them  that  diligently  seek  him  ;  and  withal  most  just  and 
terrible  in  his  judgments ;  hating  all  sin,  and  who  will  by 
no  means  clear  the  guilty. 

II.  God  hath  all  life,  glory,  goodness,  blessedness,  in 
and  of  himself ;  and  is  alone  in  and  unto  himself  all- 
sufficient,  not  standing  in  need  of  any  creatures  which  he 
hath  made,  nor  deriving  any  glory  from  them,  but  only 

290  manifesting  his  own  glory  in,  by,  unto  and  upon  them  : 
he  is  the  alone  fountain  of  all  being,  of  whom,  through 
whom,  and  to  whom,  are  all  things  :  and  hath  most  sover- 
eign dominion  over  them,  to  do  by  them,  for  them,  or 
upon  them,  whatsoever  himself  pleaseth.  In  his  sight 
all  things  are  open  and  manifest ;  his  Icnoioledge  is  in- 


61 

finite^  infallible^  and  independent  upon  the  creature^  so 
as  notliing  is  to  him  contingent  or  uncertain.  He  is  most 
lioly  in  all  his  counsels,  in  all  his  works,  and  in  all  his 
commands.  To  him  is  due  from  angels  and  men,  and 
every  other  creature,  whatsoever  worship,  service,  or 
obedience,  he  is  pleased  to  require  of  them. 

Shorter  Catechism. 

(i.  4.      What  is  God  f 

A.  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable, 
in  his  being,  wisdom,  power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness, 
and  truth. 

Charge  V. 

The  Presb^^terian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being  291 
a  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  Moses  is  not  the 
author  of  the  Pentateuch,  which  is  contrary  to  direct 
statements  of  Holy  Scripture  and  to  the  essential  doctrines 
of  the  Standards  of  the  said  Church,  that  the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture evidences  itself  to  be  the  word  of  God  by  the  consent 
of  all  the  parts,  and  that  the  infallible  rule  of  interpreta- 
tion of  Scripture  is  the  Scripture  itself. 

SPECIFICATION. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 
of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  and  ap-  292 
proval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a 
preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occurs  the  following  sen- 
tence : 

Page  33,  lines  6-8. 

"  It  may  be  regarded  as  the  certain  result  of  the  science 
of  the  Higher  Criticism  that  Moses  did  not  write  the  Pen- 
tateuch." 


62 

This  declaration  is  contrary  to  direct  statements  of 
Scripture. 

Ex.  xxiv.  4.  And  Moses  wrote  all  tlie  words  of  tlie 
Lord,  and  rose  up  early  in  the  morning,  and  builded  an 
altar  under  the  hill,  and  twelve  pillars  according  to  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel. 

Num.  xxxiii.  2.  And  Moses  wrote  their  goings  out 
according  to  their  journeys  by  the  commandment  of  the 
Lord:  and  these  are  their  journej^s  according  to  their 
goings  out. 

293  Deut.  v.  31.  But  as  for  thee,  stand  thou  here  by  me, 
and  I  will  speak  unto  thee  all  the  commandments,  and  the 
statutes,  and  the  judgments,  which  thou  shalt  teach  them, 
that  they  may  do  iliem  in  the  land  which  I  gave  tliem  to 
possess  it. 

Deut.  xxxi.  9.  And  Moses  wrote  this  law,  and  de- 
livered it  unto  the  priests  the  sons  of  Levi,  which  bare  the 
ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  and  unto  all  the  elders  of 
Israel. 

Josh.  i.  7,  8.-7  Only  be  thou  strong  and  very  courageous, 
that  thou  mayest  observe  to  do  according  to  all  the  law 
which  Moses  my  servant  commanded  thee  :  turn  not  from 
it  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left,  that  thou  mayest  prosper 
whithersoever  tliou  goest.  8  This  book  of  the  law  shall 
not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth  ;  but  thou  shalt  meditate 
therein  day  and  night,   that  thou  mayest  observe  to  do 

294  according  to  all  that  is  written  therein  :  for  tlien  thou  shalt 
make  thy  way  prosperous,  and  then  thou  shalt  have  good 
success. 

1  Kings,  ii.  3.  And  keep  the  charge  of  the  Lord  thy  God, 
to  walk  in  his  ways,  to  keep  his  statutes,  and  his  com- 
mandments, and  his  judgments,  and  his  testimonies,  as  it 
is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses  that  thou  mayest  prosper  in 
all  that  thou  doest,  and  whithersoever  thou  turnest  thy- 
self : 

1  Chron.  vi.  49.  But  Aaron  and  his  sons  offered  upon 
the  altar  of  the  burnt  offering,  and  on  the  altar  of  incense, 
and  were  appointed  for  all  the  work  of  the  place  most 
holy,  and  to  make  an  atonement  for  Israel,  according  to 
all  that  Moses  the  servant  of  God  had  commanded. 


63 

Ezra  iii.  2.  Then  stood  up  Jesliua,  the  son  of  Jozadak, 
and  his  brethren  the  priests,  and  Zerubbabel  the  son  of 
Shealtiel,  and  his  brethren,  and  builded  the  altar  of  the 
God  of  Israel,  to  offer  burnt  offerings  thereon,  as  it  is 
written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  the  man  of  God. 

Ezra  vi.  18.    And  they  set  the  priests  in  their  divisions,   295 
and  the  Levites  in  their  courses,  for  the  service  of  God, 
Avhich  is  at  Jerusalem ;  as  it  is  written  in  the  book  of 
Moses. 

Nell.  i.  7.  We  have  dealt  very  corruptly  against  thee, 
and  have  not  kept  the  commandments,  nor  the  statutes, 
nor  the  judgments,  which  thou  commandedst  thy  servant 
Moses. 

Luke  xxiv.  27,  44. — 27  And  beginning  at  Moses,  and 
all  the  prophets,  he  expounded  unto  them  in  all  the 
Scriptures  the  things  concerning  himself.  44  And  he 
said  unto  them.  These  are  the  words  which  I  spake  unto 
you,  while  I  was  yet  with  you,  that  all  things  must  be  ful- 
filled which  were  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  and  in  the 
prophets,  and  in  the  psalms,  concerning  me.  ggg 

John  V.  45  to  47. — 45  Do  not  think  that  I  will  accuse 
you  to  the  Father :  there  is  one  that  accuseth  you,  even 
Moses,  in  whom  ye  trust.  46  For  had  ye  believed  Moses, 
ye  would  have  believed  me  :  for  he  wrote  of  me.  47  But 
if  ye  believe  not  his  writings,  how  shall  ye  believe  my 
words  ? 

Acts  vii.  38.  This  is  he  that  was  in  the  church  in  the 
wilderness  with  the  angel  which  spoke  to  him  in  the 
Mount  Sina,  and  with  our  fathers :  who  received  the 
lively  oracles  to  give  unto  us. 

Acts  XV.  21.  For  Moses  of  old  time  hath  in  every  city 
them  that  preach  him,  being  read  in  the  synagogues  every 
sabbath  day. 

This  declaration  is  contrary  to  the  Standards. 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  1,  Sees.  V.  and  IX. 

Y.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony  of 
the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the  Holy  297 
Scripture;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter,  the  efficacy 
of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the  consent  of  all 


G4: 

the  parts ^  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which  is  to  give  all 
glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes  of  the  only  way 
of  man's  salvation,  the  many  other  incomparable  excel- 
lencies, and  the  entire  perfection  thereof^  are  arguments 
whereby  it  doth  abundantly  emdence  itself  to  be  the  word 
of  God ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  our  full  persuasion  and 
assurance  of  the  infallible  truth,  and  divine  authority 
thereof,  is  from  the  inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bear- 
ing witness  by  and  with,  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

IX.  The  infallible  rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture 
is  the  Scripture  itself ;  and  therefore,  when  there  is  a 
question  about  the  true  and  full  sense  of  any  scripture, 

298  (which  is  not  manifold,  but  one,)  it  may  be  searched  and 
known  by  other  places  that  speak  more  clearly. 

Chaege  YI. 

The  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being 
a  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  Isaiah  is  not  the 
author  of  half  of  the  book  that  bears  his  name,  which  is 
contrary  to  direct  statements  of  Holy  Scripture  and  to  the 
essential  doctrines  of  the  Standards  of  the  said  Church 
that  the  Holy  Scripture  evidences  itself  to  be  the  word  of 
God  by  the  consent  of  all  the  parts,  and  that  the  infallible 
rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture  is  the  Scripture  itself. 

SPECIFICATION. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Pev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 

299  nary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 
of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  and  ap- 
proval of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a  preface 
and  an  appendix,  there  occurs  the  following  sentence : 


65 


Page  33,  lines  14-15  : 


"Isaiah  did  not  write  half  of  the  book  that  bears  his 


name." 


This  declaration  is  contrary  to  direct  statements  of 
Scripture : 

Matt.  iv.  14,  15.— 14  That  it  might  be  fulfilled  which 
was  spoken  by  Esaias  the  prophet,  saying,  15  The  land 
of  Zabulon,  and  the  land  of  Nepthalim,  hy  the  way  of  the 
sea,  beyond  Jordan,  Gralilee  of  the  Gentiles  : 

Matt.  xii.  17,  18.— 17  That  it  might  be  fulfilled  which 
was  spoken  by  Esaias  the  prophet,  saying,  18  Behold  my  300 
servant,  whom  I  have  chosen ;  my  beloved,  in  whom  my 
soul  is  well  pleased  :  I  will  put  my  Spirit  upon  him,  and 
he  shall  shew  judgment  to  the  Gentiles. 

Luke  iii.  4. — As  it  is  written  in  the  book  of  the  words 
of  Esaias  the  prophet,  saying.  The  voice  of  one  crying  in 
the  wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  his 
paths  straight. 

Acts  xxviii.  25,  26. — 25  And  when  they  agreed  not 
among  themselves  they  de^^arted,  after  that  Paul  had 
spoken  one  word.  Well  spake  the  Holy  Ghost  by  Esaias 
the  prophet  unto  our  fathers,  26  Saying,  Go  unto  this 
people,  and  say,  Hearing  ye  shall  hear,  and  shall  not 
understand  ;  and  seeing  ye  shall  see,  and  not  perceive. 

John  xii.  38,  41.— 38  That  the  saying  of  Esaias  the 
prophet  might  be  fulfilled,  which  he  spake,  Lord,  who 
hath  believed  our  report?  and  to  whom  hath  the  arm  of 
the  Lord  been  revealed  %  41  These  things  said  Esaias, 
when  he  saw  his  glory  and  spake  of  him. 

Rom.  X.  16,  20.— 16  But  they  have  not  all  obeyed  the 
gospel.    For  Esaias  saith.  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our 
report?     20  But  Esaias  is  very  bold,  and  saith,  I  was 
found  of  them  that  sought  me  not ;  I  was  made  manifest  301 
unto  them  that  asked  not  after  me. 

This  declaration  is  contrary  to  the  Standards. 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  1,  Sees.  Y.  and  IX. 

y.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the  Holy 


66 

Scripture  ;  and  the  lieavenliness  of  tlie  matter,  the  efficacy 
of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the  consent  of 
all  the  parts ;  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which  is  to  give 
all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes  of  the  only 
way  of  man's  salvation,  the  many  other  incomparable 
excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection  thereof^  are  argu- 
ments whereby  it  cloth  abundantly  emdence  itself  to  be 
the  wordofGod  ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  our  full  persuasion 
and  assurance  of  the  infallible  truth,  and  divine  authority 
thereof,  is  from  the  inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
802  bearing  witness  by  and  with  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

IX.  The  infallible  rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture  is 
the  Scripture  itself ;  and  therefore,  when  there  is  a  ques- 
tion about  the  true  and  full  sense  of  any  scripture,  (which 
is  not  manifold,  but  one,)  it  may  be  searched  and  known 
by  other  places  that  speak  more  clearly. 

Charge  YII. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Eev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  B.,  being 
a  Minister  of  said  Church,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  the  processes  of  redemp- 
tion extend  to  the  world  to  come  in  the  case  of  many  who 
die  in  sin  ;  which  is  contrary  to  the  essential  doctrine  of 
Holy  Scripture  and  the  Standards  of  the  said  Church, 
that  the  processes  of  redemption  are  limited  to  this 
w^orld. 

SPECIFICATION. 

303  In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Kev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  -20,  1891,, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robin- 
son Chair  of  Biblical  Theology,  which  address  has  been 
published  and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge 
and  approval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
and  has  been  republished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with 
a  preface  and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following 
sentences : 


67 

Page  60  :  "  The  processes  of  redemption  ever  keep  the 
race  in  mind.  The  Bible  tell  us  of  a  race  origin,  a  race 
sin,  a  race  ideal,  a  race  Redeemer,  and  a  race  redemption." 

Page  53  :  ''(c.)  Another  fault  of  Protestant  theology  is 
in  its  limitation  of  the  process  of  redemption  to  this  world, 
and  its  neglect  of  those  vast  periods  of  time  which  have 
elapsed  for  most  men  in  the  Middle  State  between  death 
and  the  resurrection." 

Pages  55  and  ^^.  ''The  Bible  does  not  teach  universal  304 
salvation,  but  it  does  teach  the  salvation  of  the  world, 
of  the  race  of  man,  and  that  cannot  be  accomplished  by 
the  selection  of  a  limited  number  of  individuals  from  the 
mass.  The  holy  arm  that  worketh  salvation  does  not  con- 
tract its  hand  in  grasping  only  a  few  ;  it  stretches  its  loving 
fingers  so  as  to  comprehend  as  many  as  possible — a  definite 
number,  but  multitudes  that  no  one  can  number. 
The  salvation  of  the  world  can  only  mean  the  world  as  a  ■ 
whole,  compared  with  which  the  unredeemed  will  be  so 
few  and  insignificant,  and  evidently  beyond  the  reach  of 
redemption  by  their  own  act  of  rejecting  it  and  hardening 
themselves  against  it,  and  by  descending  into  such  depths 
of  demoniacal  dei^ravity  in  the  Middle  State,  that  they 
will  vanish  from  the  sight  of  the  redeemed  as  altogether 
and  irredeemably  evil,  and  never  more  disturb  the  har- 
monies of  the  saints.' ' 

Inaugural  Address,  Appendix,  2d  ed.  305 

Page  104.  This  raises  the  question  whether  any  man  is 
irretrievably  lost  ere  he  commits  this  unpardonable  sin, 
and  whether  those  who  do  not  commit  it  in  this  world  ere 
they  die  are,  by  the  mere  crisis  of  death,  brought  into  an 
unpardonable  state  ;  and  Avhether,  when  Jesus  said  that 
this  sin  against  the  Holy  Spirit  was  unxmrdonable  here  and 
also  hereafter,  he  did  not  imply  that  all  other  sins  might 
be  pardoned  hereafter  as  well  as  here. 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  direct  statements  of 
Scripture : 

Prov.  xi.  7.  When  a  wicked  man  dieth,  Ms  expecta- 
tion shall  perish  :  and  the  hope  of  unjust  men  perish eth. 


68 

Luke  xvi.  22,  23. — 22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the 
beggar  died,  and  was  carried  by  the  angels  into  Abraham's 
bosom  :  the  rich  man  also  died,  and  was  buried  ;  23  And 

306  in  hell  he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  being  in  torments,  and  seeth 
Abraham  afar  off,  and  Lazarus  in  his  bosom. 

John  viii.  24.  For  if  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  He,  ye 
shall  die  in  your  sins. 

II.  Cor.  vi.  2.  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time ;  be- 
hold, now  is  the  day  of  salvation. 

Heb.  iv.  7.  To-day,  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  harden  not 
your  hearts. 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Standards : 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXII. ,  Sec.  I. 

T.  The  bodies  of  men,  after  death,  return  to  dust,  and  see 
corruption  ;  but  their  souls,  (which  neither  die  nor  sleep,) 
having  an  immortal  subsistence,  immediately  return  to 
God  who  gave  them.  The  souls  of  the  righteous,  being 
then  made  perfect  in  holiness,  are  received  into  the  high- 
est heavens,  where  they  behold  the  face  of  God  in  light  and 
glor}^,  waiting  for  the  full  redemption  of  their  bodies : 
and  the  souls  of  the  loicked  are  cast  into  hell,  where  they 

307  remain  in  torments  and  utter  darlcness^  reserved  to  the 
judgment  of  the  great  day.  Besides  these  two  places  for 
souls  separated  from  their  bodies,  the  Scripture  acknowl- 
edgeth  none. 

Larger  Catechism. 

Q.  83.  What  is  the  communion  in  glory  with  Christy 
lohich  the  members  of  the  inmsible  church  enjoy  in  this 
life? 

A.  The  members  of  the  invisible  church  have  commu- 
nicated to  them,  in  this  life,  the  first-fruits  of  glory  with 
Christ,  as  they  are  members  of  him  their  head,  and  so 
in  him  are  interested  in  that  glory  which  he  is  fully 
possessed  of;  and  as  an  earnest  thereof,  enjoy  the  sense 
of  God's  love,  peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  hope  of  glory.  As,  on  the  contrary,  sense  of  God's 
revenging  wrath,  horror  of  conscience,  and  a  fearful  ex- 


69 

pectation  of  judgment,  are  to  the  wicked  tlie  beginning 
of  the  torments,  which  they  shall  endure  after  death. 

Q.  80.    What  is  the  communion  in  glory  loith  Christy  308 
lohich  the  members  of  the  inmsible  church  enjoy  immedi- 
ately after  death  f 

A.  The  communion  in  glory  with  Christ,  which  the 
members  of  the  invisible  church  enjoy  immediately  after 
death,  is  in  that  their  souls  are  then  made  perfect  in  holi- 
ness, and  received  into  the  highest  heavens,  where  they 
behold  the  face  of  God  in  light  and  glory  ;  waiting  for  the 
full  redemption  of  their  bodies,  w^liich  even  in  death  con- 
tinue united  to  Christ,  and  rest  in  their  graves  as  in  their 
beds,  till  at  the  last  day  they  be  again  united  to  their 
souls.  Wliereas  the  souls  of  the  wicked  are  at  their  death 
cast  into  hell^  where  they  remain  in  torments  and  utter 
darJcness ;  and  their  bodies  kept  in  their  graves,  as  in 
their  prisons,  until  the  resurrection  and  judgment  of  the 
great  day. 

Chaege  yiii. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  309 
America  charges  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  being 
a  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  with  teaching  that  Sanctilica- 
tion  is  not  complete  at  death,  w^hich  is  contrary  to  the 
essential  doctrine  of  Holy  Scripture  and  of  the  Standards 
of  the  said  Church  that  the  souls  of  believers  are  at 
their  death  at  once  made  perfect  in  holiness. 

SPECIFICATION. 

In  an  Inaugural  Address,  which  the  said  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  delivered  at  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  the  City  of  New  York,  January  20,  1891,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  induction  into  the  Edward  Robinson  Chair 
of  Biblical  Theology,  which  Address  has  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated  with  the  knowledge  and  ap-  310 
proval  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  has 
been  re])ublished  by  him  in  a  second  edition  with  a  pref- 
ace and  an  appendix,  there  occur  the  following  sen- 
tences : 


Pages  53,  54,  55  : 

"  (c.)  Another  fault  of  Protestant  theology  is  in  its  lim- 
itation of  the  process  of  redemption  to  this  world,  and 
its  neglect  of  those  vast  periods  of  time  which  have 
elapsed  for  most  men  in  the  Middle  State  between  death 
and  the  resurrection.  The  Roman  Catholic  Church  is 
firmer  here,  though  it  smears  the  Biblical  doctrine  with 
not  a  few  hurtful  errors.  The  reaction  against  this  limi- 
tation, as  seen  in  the  theory  of  second  probation,  is  not 
surprising.  I  do  not  find  this  doctrine  in  the  Bible,  but  I 
do  find  in  the  Bible  the  doctrine  of  a  Middle  State  of  con- 
scious higher  life  in  the  communion  with  Christ  and  the 
multitude  of  the  departed  of  all  ages  ;  and  of  the  neces- 
sity of  entire  sanctification,  in  order  that  the  work  of  re- 

311  demption  may  be  completed.  There  is  no  authority  in 
the  Scri^jtures,  or  in  the  creeds  of  Christendom,  for  the 
doctrine  of  immediate  sanctification  at  death.  The  only 
sanctification  known  to  experience,  to  Christian  ortho- 
doxy, and  to  the  Bible,  is  progressive  sanctification.  Pro- 
gressive sanctification  after  death  is  the  doctrine  of  the 
Bible  and  the  Church  ;  and  it  is  of  vast  importance  in  our 
times  that  we  should  understand  it,  and  live  in  accordance 
with  it.  The  bugbear  of  a  judgment  immediately  after 
death,  and  the  illusion  of  a  magical  transformation  in  the 
dying  hour  should  be  banished  from  the  world.  They  are 
conceits  derived  from  the  Ethnic  religions,  and  without 
basis  in  the  Bible  or  Christian  experience  as  expressed  in 
the  symbols  of  the  Church.  The  former  makes  death  a 
terror  to  the  best  of  men,  the  latter  makes  human  life  and 
experience  of  no  effect ;  and  both  cut  the  nerves  of  Chris- 

312  tian  activity  and  striving  after  sanctification.  Renounc- 
ing them  as  hurtful,  unchristian  errors,  we  look  with  hope 
and  joy  for  the  continuation  of  the  processes  of  grace, 
and  the  wonders  of  redemption  in  the  company  of  the 
blessed,  to  which  the  faithful  are  all  hastening." 

Inaugural  Address,  Appendix,  2d  ed.,  pages  107,  108: 
*'  Sanctification  has  two  sides — a  negative  and  a  positive — 
mortification  and  vivification  ;  the  former  is  manward,  the 
latter  is  Godward.     Believers  who  enter  the  middle  state. 


71 

enter  guiltless ;  they  are  pardoned  and  justified  ;  they 
are  mantled  in  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ ;  and 
nothing  will  be  able  to  separate  them  from  Ilis  love.  They 
are  also  delivered  from  all  temptations  such  as  spring 
from  without,  from  the  world  and  the  devil.  They  are 
encircled  with  influences  for  good  such  as  they  have 
never  enjoyed  before.  But  they  are  still  the  same  persons,  313 
with  all  the  gifts  and  graces,  and  also  the  same  habits  of 
mind,  disjDosition,  and  temper  they  had  when  they  left 
the  world.  Death  destroys  the  body.  It  does  not  change 
the  moral  and  religious  nature  of  man.  It  is  unpsycho- 
logical  and  unethical  to  suppose  that  the  character  of  the 
disembodied  si^irit  will  all  be  changed  in  the  moment  of 
death.  It  is  the  Manichean  heresy  to  hold  that  sin  be- 
longs to  the  physical  organization  and  is  laid  aside  with 
the  body.  If  this  were  so,  how  can  any  of  our  race  carry 
their  evil  natures  with  them  into  the  middle  state  and 
incur  the  punishment  of  their  sins  ?  The  eternal  punish- 
ment of  a  man  whose  evil  nature  has  been  stripped  from 
liim  by  death  and  left  in  the  grave,  is  an  absurdity.  The 
Plymouth  Brethren  hold  that  there  are  two  natures  in  the 
redeemed — the  old  man  and  the  new.  In  accordance  with 
such  a  theory,  the  old  man  might  be  cast  off  at  death. 
But  this  is  only  a  more  subtle  kind  of  Manicheism,  which  314 
has  ever  been  regarded  as  heretical.  Sin,  as  our  Saviour 
teaches,  has  its  source  in  the  heart — in  the  higher  and 
immortal  part  of  man.  It  is  the  work  of  sanctification  to 
overcome  sin  in  the  higher  nature." 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  Scripture  : 

1  Cor.  XV.  51,  52. — 51  Behold  I  shew  you  a  mystery; 
We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed.  52 
In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump  : 
for  the  trumi)et  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be  raised 
incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be  changed. 

Heb.  xii.  23. — To  the  general  assembly  and  church  of 
the  firstborn,  which  are  written  in  heaven  and  to  God  the 
Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect. 


72 

315  Tliese  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Standards : 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXIL,  Sec.  I. 

I.  The  bodies  of  men,  after  deatli,  return  to  dust,  and 
see  corruption  ;  hut  ilieir  souls  (which  neither  die  nor 
sleep),  having  an  immortal  subsistence,  immediately  re- 
turn to  God  who  gave  them.  The  souls  of  the  righteous, 
being  then  made  perfect  in  Jioliness^  are  received  into  the 
highest  heavens^  where  they  behold  the  face  of  God  in 
light  and  glory,  Avaiting  for  the  full  redemption  of  their 
bodies ;  and  the  souls  of  the  wicked  are  cast  into  hell, 
where  they  remain  in  torments  and  utter  darkness,  re- 
served to  the  judgment  of  the  great  da}^,  besides  these 
two  places  for  souls  separated  from  their  bodies,  the 
Scripture  acknowledgeth  none. 

316  Larger  Catechism. 

Q.  86.  What  is  the  communion  in  glory  with  Christ, 
lohich  the  members  of  the  invisible  church  enjoy  immedi- 
ately after  death  f 

A.  The  communion  in  glory  with  Christ,  which  the 
members  of  the  invisible  church  enjoy  immediately  after 
death,  is  in  that  their  souls  are  then  made  ^perfect  in 
holiness,  and  received  into  the  highest  heavens^  where 
they  behold  the  face  of  God  in  light  and  glory ;  waiting 
for  the  full  redemption  of  their  bodies,  which  even  in 
death  continue  united  to  Christ,  and  rest  in  their  graves 
as  in  their  beds,  till  at  the  last  day  they  be  again  united 
to  their  souls.  Whereas  the  souls  of  the  wicked  are  at 
their  death  cast  into  hell,  where  they  remain  in  torments 
and  utter  darkness ;  and  their  bodies  kept  in  their 
graves,  as  in  their  prisons,  until  the  resurrection  and 
judgment  of  the  great  day. 

Shorter  Catechism. 

317  Q.  37.  What  benefit  do  believers  receive  from  Christ  at 
their  death  f 

A.  The  souls  of  believers  are  at  their  death  made  per- 
fect in  holiness,  and  do  immediately  pass  into  glory ; 
and  their  bodies,  being  still  united  in  Christ,  do  rest  in 
their  graves  till  the  resurrection. 


73 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  represented  by  the  undersigned  Prosecuting 
Committee,  offers  in  evidence  the  whole  of  the  said 
Inaugural  Address,  both  the  first  and  second  editions,  and 
all  the  works  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
quoted  therein,  in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case ; 
also  the  appendix  to  the  second  edition  of  said  Address, 
and  all  the  works  of  the  said  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
D.  D.,  quoted  therein,  in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case  ;  318 
the  whole  of  the  Holy  Scri^jtures  and  the  whole  of  the 
Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

George  W.  F.  Birch,  D.  D., 
Joseph  J.  Lampe,  D.  D., 
Robert  P.  Sample,  D.  D., 
John  J.  Stevenson, 
John  J.  McCook, 

Prosecuting  Committee. 

It  was,  on  motion,  resolved  that  a  copy  of  these  Charges  330 
and  Specifications  be  served  on  Dr.  Briggs.     This  having 
been  done.  Dr.  Briggs  asked  for  the  time  allowed  by  the 
Book.     Whereupon  it  was  resolved  that  we  now  take  a 
recess,  to  meet  on  Monday,  the  27th,  at  2  p.  m. 

A  recess  was  now  taken. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


New  York,  28th  November. 

BRIGGS  CASE.  344 

Scotch  Church,  2  p.  m. 

After  a  recess  from  November  9th,  Presbytery  met  and 
was  constituted  with  prayer,  and  proceeded  to  consider 
the  case  of  Rev.  C.  A.  Briggs,  D.  D. 


74 

Present:  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Mod.;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, S.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreglii,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch, 
Robert  E,.  Booth,  Samuel  Bowden,  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers, 
Edward  L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  Wilbur  F. 
Crafts,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge, 
Conrad  Doench,  William  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  EUinwood, 
Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani, 
Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes, 
Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard, 
James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw, 
Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Spencer  L.  Hillier,  Edward  W. 
Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Sam.  W. 
Jackson,  A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett,  Albert  B.  King,  A. 
Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Sidney  G.  Law,  Theodore 
^'^'^  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel 

E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Henry  T. 
McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex.  H.  McKinney,  Alex. 
McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  William 
L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H. 
Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Charles  H.  Parkhurst,  Levi 
H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John  R.  Paxton,  Wm. 
M.  Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Geo.  L. 
Prentiss,  James  S.  Ramsey,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S. 
Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Wm. 
A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Adolphus 

F.  Schauffler,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G. 
T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland,  David  G.  Smith,  Wilton  M. 
Smith,  John.M.  Stevenson,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A. 
Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L. 
Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Charles 
L.  Tyndall,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin 
R.  Vincent,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W. 
Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White, 
Gay  lord  S.  White,  John  T.  Wilds,  Livingston  Willard, 
David  G.  Wylie,  Fred.  G.  Beebe,  Hugh  Pritchard,  Vincent 
Pisek. 


75 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams'  Memorial ;  James  346 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  William  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H. 
Edward  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth 
Avenue ;  Samuel  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Samuel  H. 
Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Henry  D. 
Nicoll,  Madison  Avenue  ;  Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madi- 
son Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  First  Morrisania ;  G.  C. 
King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawle}^,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware, 
Phillips  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm.  M.  On- 
derdonk,  Rutgers ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch  ;  John  Den- 
ham,  Sea  and  Land  ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ; 
Thomas  Bond,  University  Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union 
Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights  ;  347 
Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  Clarence  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ; 
Alex.  Wilson,  West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Robert  Drummond, 
Westminster ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  W.  C.  Humbly, 
Mt.  Tabor ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  James  L.  Birdsall, 
Spring  Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  John  Cepek, 
Bohemian. 

On  motion,  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  were  au- 
thorized to  give  such  persons  as  they  approve  copies  of 
the  stenographic  reports,  at  the  expense  of  tlie  applicants. 

The  Moderator,  Stated  Clerk  and  Rev.  Charles  R.  Gil- 
lette were  appointed  a  committee  to  supervise  the  official 
stenographer's  reports  of  the  proceedings. 

The  Moderator  charged  the  brethren  to  remember  that  348 
they  are  now  in  the  attitude  of  a  Court,  and  he  then  made 
the  following  statement,  viz.  :  In  view  of  certain  exjores- 
sions  of  opinions  which  have  come  to  me  from  sources 
both  religious  and  secular,  I  would  make  a  statement 
bearing  on  both  sides  of  the  case  now  before  us. 

1st.  As  to  the  action  and  spirit  of  the  defendant  and  his 
immediate  friend  or  friends,  respecting  the  interpretation 
of  the  law  and  methods  of  procedure  in  this  case.  In 
raising  the  questions  and  in  making  the  objections  w^liich 
they  have  presented  here,  or  which  they  may  yet  present, 


76 

and  in  tlieir  complaints  carrying  these  points  to  the  Synod, 
they  are  not  to  be  considered  as  desiring  merely  to  ob- 
struct the  progress  of  the  trial  on  its  merits,  or  to  act  in 
any  way  so  as  to  cause  needless  hindrance  or  delay.    In- 

349  stead  of  this  their  course  is  to  be  viewed  in  the  light  of 
the  strong  convictions  which  they  hold  against  some  of 
the  methods  pursued,  and  certain  decisions  made  in  this 
case  and  in  the  light  of  their  honest  desire  to  conserve 
great  and  important  principles  in  the  constitution  and 
government  of  our  Church. 

In  this  case  your  Moderator  is  thoroughly  convinced 
that  they  are  perfectly  conscientious  and  sincere. 

Then,  on  the  other  hand,  as  to  the  position,  purpose 
and  animus  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  your  Modera- 
tor is  as  thoroughly  convinced  that  they  are  not  in  that 
position,  because  they  have  sought  or  enjoy  it ;  that  their 
aim  is  not  that  of  mere  "heresy  hunters,"  and  that  they 
have  no  unkind  personal  feelings  whatever  toward  him 
who  has  been  arraigned  ;  but  they  are  just  acting  under 
the  obligations  laid  upon  them  from  a  deep  sense  of  duty  to 
the  truth  and  to  the  Church  ;  and  because  they  believe  that 
they  represent  a  very  large  i3ortion  of  our  Church  in  a 
most  serious  and  earnest  feeling  of  alarm  over  the  effects 

350  of  the  views  set  forth  by  the  defendant,  and  in  this  course 
they  are  as  conscientious  and  sincere  as  the  defendant. 
Now,  of  this  view  of  both  sides  of  the  case,  I  would  have 
every  one  in  this  Court,  and  all  outside  of  it,  fully  assured. 

And  further,  let  me  avouch  the  confidence  that  every 
member  of  this  Court  will  endeavor  to  hold  his  judgment 
as  close  to  a  perfect  balance  as  possible  in  the  hearing  of 
this  whole  case,  so  that,  without  any  previous  bias,  he 
may  reach  the  decision  that  shall  be  most  just,  and  that 
therefore  there  be  all  effort  on  the  part  of  all  to  avoid 
raising  points  which  may  cause  unnecessary  discussion 
or  delay  in  the  conduct  of  our  proceedings. 

The  Moderator  then  stated  that  the  Amended  Charges 
and  Specifications  had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
defendant  at  the  last  meeting,  and  he  now  called  upon 
Dr.  Briggs  to  answer. 


77 

Whereupon  lie  proceeded  to  file  preliminary  objections. 

The  Moderator  then  declared  that  the  next  step  was  to  351 
hear  from  the  other  party,  when  Dr.  Lampe,  of  the  Prose- 
cuting Committee,  was  heard. 

It  was  moved  that  Presbytery,  in  consideration  of  ob- 
jections offered  by  the  accused,  require  the  Committee  to 
amend  the  Charges  and  Specifications  by  striking  out 
Charges  IV.  and  VII. 

Pending  the  consideration  of  this  motion,  after  the 
approval  of  the  minutes  so  far  as  read,  and  after  x^rayer, 
Presbytery  took  a  recess. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


Scotch  Church,  Tuesday,  ]^oy.  29,  2  p.  m. 
BRIGGS  CASE. 

After  recess  Presbytery    convened  and  ^vas  opened 
with  prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Mod. ;  Geo.  Alex-  352 
ander,  S.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe, 
Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
Francis  Browm,  Samuel  Bowden,  Walter  D.  Buchanan, 
.James  Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conk- 
ling,  Wilbur  F.  Crafts,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D. 
Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant,  Thomas 
Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F. 
Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P. 
Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F. 
Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  L. 
Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm. 
R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Spencer  L.  Hillier, 
Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hun- 
ter, Saml.  M.  Jackson,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B. 
King,  A.  Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Sidney  G. 
Low,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C. 
Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  William  M.  Martin,  Charles 


78 

P.  Mallery,  Alex.  H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan 
J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C. 
Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Nortlirup,  Dan.  H. 
Overton,  Charles  H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James 
G.  Patterson,  John  E,.  Paxton,  Wm.  M.  Paxton,  Edward 

353  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Geo.  L. 
Prentiss,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel 
Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert 
G.  Ruliffson,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Josei3h 
A.  Saxton,  Adol^^hus  F.  Schauffler,  J.  Balcom  Shaw, 
Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland, 
David  G.  Smith,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles 
A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L. 
Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thomj)son, 
Charles  H.  Tyndall,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van 
D^^ke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Frederick  E.  Voegelin,  Abbott 
L.  R.  Waite,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo. 
S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  John  T.  Wilds,  Living- 
ston Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders :  Moses  P.  Brow^n,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tom]3kins,  Bethany  ;  John  Cepek,  Bohemian  ;  Albert  R. 
Ledoux,  Brick ;  A.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  Wm.   Mickens,   Central  ;  James  Mc- 

354  Dowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H.  Edward  Rowland,  Fifth  Ave- 
nue ;  Eugene  McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William, 
Fourth ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue ;  Saml.  Reeve, 
Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml.  H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph 
Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Henry  D.  Nicoll,  Madison  Avenue ; 
Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  John- 
son, First  Morrisiana ;  G.  C.  King,  North ;  Henry  Q. 
Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips ;  Cleveland  H. 
Dodge,  Riverdale ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers, 
Riverside  ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch  ;  John  Denham,  Sea 
and  Land  ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ;  Thomas 
Bond,  University  Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Taber- 
nacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights ; 
Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  Clarence  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ; 
Alex.  Wilson,  West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Richard  Drum- 
mond,  Westminster ;  James  L.  Birdsall,  Spring   Street ; 


79 

James    Anderson,    Seventli ;  Wm.   C.   Humbly,    Mount  355 
Tabor;  Caleb  E.  Garej^,  Tremont ;  Geo.  E.   Lay,   Puri- 
tans. 

The  resolution  pending  at  the  close  of  the  last  meeting 
was  then  taken  up  and  Mr.  McCook,  of  the  Prosecuting 
Committee,  was  heard. 

At  this  point  Dr.  Briggs  wished  the  following  objections 
recorded,  viz. :  That  the  Prosecuting  Committee  were 
heard  yesterday  in  response  to  his  objections  and  the 
Committee  is  now  being  heard  again  without  his  consent. 

A  motion  to  lay  the  pending  resolution  on  the  table 
was  lost  by  a  vote  of  47  to  67. 

At  this  point  the  resolution  was  divided  in  order  to  take 
action  respecting  Charges  IV.  and  VII.  separately. 

The  resolution  requiring  the  Committee  to  strike  out 
Charge  IV.  was  sustained  by  a  vote  of  70  to  49. 

The  Committee  of  Prosecution  take  excei^tion  and  ask  356 
to  have  entered  upon  the  record  an  exception  to  the 
action  of  the  Presbytery  in  requiring  the  Committee  to 
amend  the  Charges  and   Specifications  by  striking  out 
Charge  IV. 

The  resolution  to  require  the  Committee  to  strike  out 
Charge  VII.  was  sustained  by  a  vote  of  74  to  54. 

Tlie  Prosecuting  Committee  take  exception  and  ask  to 
have  entered  upon  the  record  an  exception  to  the  action 
of  the  Presbytery  in  requiring  the  Committee  to  amend 
the  Charges  and  Specifications  by  striking  out  Charge 
VII. 

It  was  resolved  that  when  Presbj^tery  convene  to- 
morrow, we  proceed  at  once  to  take  up  the  objections  in 
their  order. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

Presbytery  now  took  a  recess  until  to-morrow  at  2  p.  m. 

Concluded  Avith  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk, 


80 
New  York,  SOtii  November,  1892. 

357  BRIGGS  CASE. 

Scotch  Church,  Wednesday,  Nov.  30,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  convened  after  recess  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator  ;  Geo. 
Alexander,  Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arregiii,  Anson 
P.  Atterbury,  W,  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G. 
Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  E,. 
Booth,  Saml.  Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  ~D.  Buchanan,  James 
Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling, 
Wilbur  F.  Crafts,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart 
Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  William  Durant,  Howard  Duffield, 
John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliott, 
Wm.  T.  El  sing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field, 
Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles 
R.  Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff 
Halsey,  Wm.  P.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward 
W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml. 
M.  Jackson,  Joseph  P.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlap 
King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Sidney  G.  Law,  Theodore  Leon- 

358  hard,  Wilton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E. 
Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H. 
Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex. 
H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan, 
Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James 
C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel 
H.  Overton,  Charles  H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  H.  Parsons, 
James  G.  Patterson,  John  P.  Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson, 
Geo.  S.  Payson,  George  L.  Prentiss,  Hugh  Pritchard, 
James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson, 
Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  William  A.  Rice, 
Robert  F.  Sample,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Adolphus  F. 
Schauffler,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T. 
Shedd,   Andrew  Shiland,  David   G.  Smith,   Wilton  M. 


81 

Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  diaries  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sut- 
ton, Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L. 
Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Charles  H.  Tyndall,  Henry 
M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Fred- 
erick E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite, 
W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White, 
John  T.  Wilds,  Livingston  WilJard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James  359 
Tom|:»kins,  Bethany ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central  ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem ;  H. 
Edward  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenne ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  S terry.  Fourth 
Avenue ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml.  H. 
Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Henry  D. 
Nicoll,  Madison  Avenue  ;  Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison 
Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morrisania  First ;  G.  C.  King, 
North  ;  Henry  Q.  HaAvley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phil- 
lips ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  River- 
dale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers,  etc.  ;  Robert  Hous- 
ton, Scotch ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh ;  James  L. 
Birdsall,  Spring  Street;  Wm.  R.  Worrell,  Thirteenth  360 
Street ;  Caleb  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  Univer- 
sity Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle  ;  Wm.  A. 
Wheelock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West ; 
Clarence  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Alexr.  Wilson,  West 
F'if  ty-first  Street ;  Richd.  Drummond,  Westminster. 

The  resolution  offered  at  the  close  oi:  the  session  yester- 
day afternoon,  to  j)roceed  at  once  to  take  up  the  objec- 
tions in  their  order,  was  taken  up. 

The  first  objection  of  Dr.  Briggs  to  the  charges  and 
speciiications  was  not  sustained. 

The  second  objection  of  Dr.  Briggs  to  the  charges  and 
specifications  was  not  sustained. 

Dr.  Briggs  reserved  his  rights  (page  251  in  the  steno- 
grapher's report)  to  apply  them  to  the  specific  charges. 

It  was,  on  motion,  resolved  that  without  sustaining  the  361 
general  objection  to  the  relevancy  of  the  proofs   from 


82 

Scripture,  catechisms  and  confession,  the  Presbytery 
direct  the  transference  of  these  proofs  from  the  specifica- 
tions to  the  charges. 

A  division  of  the  house  being  called  for,  the  above 
resolution  v^as  sustained  by  a  vote  of  71  to  56. 

The  Committee  of  Prosecution  took  exception,  and 
asked  to  have  entered  upon  the  record  an  exception  to 
the  action  of  the  Presbytery  in  directing  the  transference 
of  the  proofs  from  Scri^^ture,  catechisms  and  confession 
from  the  specifications  to  the  charges. 

It  was  moved,  that  in  view  of  the  fifth  objection  of  the 
defendant  that  the  last  paragraph  of  the  amended 
charges  from  the  words  "  The  Presbyterian  Church,  etc." 
at  the  bottom  of  page  35  be  stricken  out.  It  was  then 
moved  to  amend  the  resolution  by  instructing  the 
362  Committee  to  amend  the  last  clause  of  the  Charges  by 
stating  what  portion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  works  of 
Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  the  Standards  they 
intend  to  present  as  evidence  in  the  case. 

This  amendment  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  23  to  84. 

The  resolution  being  voted  upon  was  lost.  The  ayes 
and  noes  being  called  for,  the  resolution  was  lost  by  the 
following  68  persons  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  following 
70  persons  in  the  negative  : 

Ministers  :  Aye — Geo.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi, 
Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick 
G.  Beebe,  Francis  Brown,  James  Chambers,  Edward  L. 
Clark,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Wm.  Durant,  John 
H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Eliinwood,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles 
P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R. 
Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas 
S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley, 
James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  Milton  S.  Littlefield, 
Danl.  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Francis  H.  Marling, 
363  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Duncan 
McMillan,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Charles 
H.  Parkhurst,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Geo.  L.  Prentiss,  James 
S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Redmon,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert 


83 

G.  Iliiliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Joseph  A.  Saxtoii,  Philip 
Scbaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  David  G.  Smith,  Wilton  M. 
Smith,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  Henry 
Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Geo.  S.  Webster— 52. 

Elders :  Aye— Moses  P.  Brown,  Albert  L.  Ledoux, 
Wm.  Mickens,  Saml.  Reeve,  Charles  II.  Woodbury, 
Robert  Johnson,  G.  C.  King,  Henry  Q  Hawley,  James  E. 
Ware,  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Thomas  Bond, 
Robert  Gentle,  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Robert  Jaffray, 
Clarence  P.  Leggett — 16. 

Ministers:  Nay — Sam'l  D.  Alexander,  Nicholas 
Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel  BoAvden,  Thomas  S. 
Bradner,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling, 
Wilbur  P.  Crafts,  Conrad  Doench,  Thomas  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  James 
Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B. 
King,  Alex.  D.  King,  Sidney  G.  Low,  Theodore 
Leonhard,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Alexander  364 
McLean,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C. 
Nightingale,  George  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Levi  H. 
Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Hugh 
Pritchard,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  AdolxDhus  F.  Schauffler, 
George  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland, 
AVm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton, 
Alex.  W.  Sproull,  John  J.  Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall, 
Frederick  E.  Yoegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R. 
Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Erskine  N.  White,  John  T. 
Wilds,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie,  Walter  B. 
Floyd— 52. 

Elders:  Nay — James  Tom]3kins,  A.  P.  Ketcham, 
Andrew  Robinson,  James  McDowell,  H.  Edwards 
Rowland,  Eugene  McJimpsey,  John  McWilliam,  Geo. 
E.  Sterry,  Samuel  H.  Willard,  Joseph  Moorhead,  Henry 
D.  Nicoll,  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Robert  Houston,  James 
Anderson,  James  L.  Birdsall,  William  R.  Worrall, 
Caleb  E.  Garey,  Richard  Drummond — 18. 

Dr.  Briggs  gave  notice  of  an  exception  and  notice  of  an 
appeal  and  complaint. 


84 

365  It  was  resolved  that  the  sessions  of  Presbytery  here- 
after close  on  Thursday  afternoon  instead  of  on  Friday 
as  in  the  original  motion. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved  as  far  as  written. 
Presbytery  now  took  a  recess  until  to-morrow  at  2  p.  m. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


Scotch  Church,  December  1st,  2  p.  m. 
BRIGGS  CASE. 

Presbytery  convened  after  recess  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present:  Ministers — John  G.  Bliss,  Mod' r  ;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Wm.  H.  Beach, 
Frederick  G.  Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring, 
Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel  Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner, 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Bnclianan, 
James  Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  Nathl.  W.  Conkling, 
Wilbur  F.  Crafts,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart 
Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  EUinwood, 
3(;,6  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani, 
Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Her- 
bert Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard, 
James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw, 
Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H. 
Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Samuel  M.  Jackson,  Joseph  H. 
Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  Alex.  D.  King,  Jos.  J.  Lampe, 
Sidney  G.  Law,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield, 
John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  William  M.  Martin, 
Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T. 
McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex.  McKinney,  Alex. 
McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J. 
Mingius,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Mghtingale,  Geo. 
Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Charles 
H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John 
R.  Paxton,  Wm.  M.  Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo. 


85 

S.  Payson,  Geo.  L.  Prentiss,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S. 
Ramsay,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B. 
Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  F. 
Sample,  Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip 
Schaff,  Adolphus  F.  Schauffler,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo. 
L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton 
M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford 
Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L. 
Tliompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Charles  H.  Tyndall,  357 
Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Frederick  E. 
Yoegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W. 
Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  John 
T.  Wilds,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders— Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  James 
McDowell,  East  Harlem ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth 
Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William, 
Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Samuel  Reeve, 
Fourteenth  Street ;  Samuel  H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph 
Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Henry  D.  Nicoll,  Madison  Avenue  ; 
Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square  ;  Robert  John- 
son, Morrisania  First ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ; 
G.  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E. 
Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  368 
Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  ;  Robert 
Houston,  Scotch ;  James  L.  Birdsall,  Spring  Street  ; 
James  Anderson,  Seventh ;  Caleb  E.  Garey,  Tremont ; 
Tljomas  Bond,  University;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Taber- 
nacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights ;  Robert 
Jaffray,  AVest ;  Clarence  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Alex. 
Wilson,  West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Richard  Drummond, 
AVestminster. 

The  objections  of  Dr.  Briggs  were  again  taken  up,  when 
it  was  resolved  that  in  view  of  the  conditional  waiver 
made  by  the  defendant,  Presbytery,  Presbytery  without 
passing  upon  his  objection  to  Charges  I.,  II.,  III.,  V.  and 
YL,  rules  that  in  taking  the  vote,  each  of  the  items  in 


86 

those  charges  as  indicated  by  numerals  in  the  objections 
tiled,  shall  be  voted  upon  separately. 

369  The  Committee  of  Prosecution  take  exception  and  ask 
to  have  entered  upon  the  record  an  exception  to  the  ac- 
tion of  the  Presbytery  in  view  of  the  conditional  waiver 
made  by  the  defendant,  Presbytery,  without  passing  upon 
his  objections  to  Charges  I.,  II.,  III.,  V.  and  YI.,  rules 
that  in  taking  the  vote  each  of  the  items  in  those  Charges 
as  indicated  by  numerals  in  the  objections  hied,  shall  be 
voted  upon  separately. 

It  was  then  resolved  that  the  proceedings  are  found  in 
order,  and  that  the  Charges  and  Specifications  in  their 
amended  form  be  considered  sufficient  to  put  the  accused 
on  his  defense. 

Whereupon  Dr.  Briggs  was  called  upon  to  plead  guilty 
or  not  guilty. 

He  pleaded  not  guilty. 

The  accused  then  waived  the  notice  of  testimony  under 
Section  23  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  then  took  up  the  case,  and 
put  in  evidence  pamphlets  marked  A  and  B,  being  the 

370  1st  and  2d  editions  of  the  Inaugural  Address,  and  the 
Preface  and  Appendix  to  the  2d  edition  ;  and  all  the 
works  of  the  said  Hev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  quoted 
therein,  in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case,  the  whole 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the  whole  of  the  Standards  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

Here  the  Prosecution  rested  its  evidence. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  evidence  otfered  by  the  Prose- 
cution be  considered  competent. 

Dr.  Briggs  then  gave  notice  of  an  exception  and  appeal. 

It  was  resolved  that  we  take  recess  until  Monday  after- 
noon next  at  2  p.  m. 

After  the  reading  and  approval  of  the  minutes  so  far  as 
written,  and  prayer,  Presbytery  took  recess  as  above. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


87 
New  York,  Stii  December,  1892.  371 

BRIGGS  CASE. 
Scotch  Church,  Monday,  5,  2  p.  m. 

After  recess   Presbytery  met    and  was   opened  with 

prayer. 

Present:  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Mod'r  ;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  I).  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreglii,  Anson  P. 
Atterbnry,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe, 
Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  E.  Booth, 
Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis  Brown, 
Walter  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark, 
Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,   John   B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd, 

D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  William  Durant, 
Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards, 
Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing, 
Cliarles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd, 
Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri 
L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm. 

E.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock, 
James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A. 
D.  Lawrence  Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A. 
Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Sidney  G.  Law,  Theo- 
dore Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  372 
Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery, 
Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  Alex.  H.  McKin- 
ney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G. 
Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Night- 
ingale, Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Over- 
ton, Charles  H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G. 
Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  George  L. 
Prentiss,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel 
Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert 

G,  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Joseph 
Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  Adolplms 
Schauffler,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T. 
Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt, 
Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull, 


88 

Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Tliompson,  John  J.  Thomp- 
son, Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vin- 
cent, Frederick  E.  Yoegelin,  A.  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott 
Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  John  T. 
Wilds,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

373  Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  Albert  R. 
Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  Wm.  Mickens, 
Central  ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell 
East  Harlem  ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue ; 
Eugene  McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth  ; 
Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth 
Street ;  Samuel  H.  Willard,  Harlem ;  Joseph  Moor- 
head,  Knox  ;  Henry  D.  Nicoll,  Madison  Avenue  ;  Charles 
H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  Mor- 
risania  First ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  Gerardu& 
C.  King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E. 
Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H. 
Dodge,  Riverside ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  R. ; 
Robert    Houston,    Scotch ;    James    Anderson,    Seventh  ; 

374  James  L.  Birdsall,  Spring  Street ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall, 
Thirteenth  Street ;  Clarence  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas 
Bond,  University ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;. 
Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaf- 
fray,  West ;  CI.  P.  Leggett,  West  End ;  Alex.  Wilson, 
West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Richard  Drunimond,  West- 
minster. 

The  Committee  of  Prosecution  was  permitted  to  intro- 
duce the  following  additional  evidence  : 

(1)  The  Inaugural  Address,  3d  Edition,  by  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D. 

(2)  Newman's  Apologia  pro  vita  sua,  pages  1  and  4  in 
volume  marked  D. 

(3)  Martineau's  Seat  of  Authority  in  Religion.  Book  L, 
Chapter  1  and  2.  Book  IL,  Chapter  2  ;  Book  IV.,  Chap- 
ter 2,  in  volume  marked  E. 

(4)  The  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 

375  United  States  of  America,  marked  F. 

(5)  The  Holy  Bible,  marked  G. 


89 

(6)  Messianic  Prophecy,  by  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
marked  H  (1). 

(7)  Biblical  Study,  by  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  marked 
H  {2), 

(8)  Whither,  by  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  marked  H  (3). 
Dr.  Briggs  then  introduced  his  evidence  as  follows : 

(1)  I  offer  in  evidence  the  whole  of  the  Holy  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  in  the  following  texts 
and  versions,  (a)  The  Hebrew  text  of  the  Old  Testament. 
Theile's  editions,  (b)  The  Septuagint  version  of  the  Old 
Testament,  Sweet's  edition,  (c)  Tiie  Greek  text  of  the 
New  Testament,  edition  of  Westcott  &  Hort.  {d)  Tlie  re- 
vised English  versions  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 

{e)      The    authorized    version,    the    variorum    reference  376 
edition.   I  submit  these,  without  reading,  according  to  the 
ruling  of  Presbytery. 

(2)  I  offer  in  evidence  the  Standards  of  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  in  the  amended 
edition,  published  by  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publica- 
tion, 1891. 

I  submit  these,  without  reading,  according  to  the  ruling 
of  the  Presbytery,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  passages 
which  I  shall  now  read.  The  Westminster  Confession, 
L,  i.,  4,  5,  6,  7  ;  X.,  I ;  XIIL,  1  ;  XVIIL,  1,  2  ;  XX.,  2  ; 
XXY.,  3 ;  XXYIL,  3 ;  Larger  Catechism,  Ques.  90 ; 
Shorter  datechism,  Qaes.  2  ;  Book  of  Discipline,  Sec.  1. 

(3)  I  shall  offer  in  evidence  the  Inaugural  Address  as 
published  in  the  first  edition,  with  accompanying  docu- 
ments, under  the  title  "The  Edward  Robinson  Chair  of 
Biblical  Theology,"  as  published  in  the  second  edition 
with  an  appendix,  and  as  published  in  a  third  and  fourth 
edition  with  appendices,  all  under  the  title  "The  Author- 
ity of  Holy  Scripture." 

I  beg  leave  to  put  a  copy  of  the  third  edition  of  these 
documents  in  the  hands  of  every  member  of  the  Court,  in 
place  of  reading  them,  except  so  far  as  the  following 
extracts,   which  I  shall  now  read,  in  order  to  put  the  377 
citations  made  by  the  Prosecution  in  the  light  of  their 


90 

context.  I  shall  read  p.  4-6 ;  p.  10.  I  ask  the  Court  to 
read  especially  23-29,  32-36,  62,  65.  I  shall  read  from 
the  appendices  85-89,  111. 

(4)  I  oifer  in  evidence  the  following  official  documents 
in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case. 

(a)  The  Confession  of  Faith,  together  with  the  Larger 
and  Lesser  Catechisms  composed  by  the  reverend  assem- 
bly of  divines  sitting  at  Westminster  ;  edition  of  1658. 

(p)  The  Minutes  of  the  Sessions  of  the  Westminster 
Assembly,  Nov.,  1644,  to  March,  1649,  edited  for  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  with  an  introduction 
by  A.  F.  Mitchell,  Edinburgh,  1874. 

(c)  The  Records  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  published  by  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Publication. 

(d)  The  Minutes  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  1789-1892. 

(e)  The  Minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York. 

(/)  The  stenographical  report  of  the  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery, Oct.  5th,  1891. 

(g)  The  stenographical  report  of  the  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery of  New  York,  Nov.  4th,  1891. 
378       (h)  Stenographical  report  of  the  Sessions  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  at  Portland,  May  26-30,  1892. 

(^)  The  Creeds  of  Christendom,  by  Dr.  Schaff. 

I  submit  these  documents,  without  reading,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  ruling  of  the  Presbytery,  with  the  exception 
of  the  following  extracts  which  I  shall  read  to  the  Court 
at  this  time.  Read  extract  from  the  Minutes  of  Presby- 
tery, Oct.  5th,  1891,  as  given  in  the  Case,  pp.  135,  137. 

(5)  Inasmuch  as  the  Prosecution  have  put  in  evidence 
all  the  works  of  Dr.  Briggs  quoted  in  the  first  and  second 
editions  of  the  Inaugural  Address,  so  far  as  they  ^'bear 
upon  this  case,"  the  defendant  puts  in  all  the  works  of 
Dr.  Briggs  "  in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case."  These 
are  put  in  evidence,  without  reading,  in  accordance  with 
the  ruling  of  the  Presbytery,  save  the  following  testi- 
mony, which  I  shall  read  at  the  present  time. 


91 

(a)  Address  on  the  occasion   of  liis  inauguration  as 
Davenport  professor  of  Hebrew  and  tlie  cognate  languages  379 
in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  October,  1876.  (Read 
pp.  6,  7,  15,  16.) 

(b)  Article  in  the  Presbyterian  Review,  1881,  on  tJie 
right,  duty  and  limits  of  Biblical  criticism^  pp.  242,  243, 
138. 

{&)  Article  on  Biblical  Theology  in  the  Presbyterian 
Review,  1882,  pp.  516-527,  which  was  taken  up  into  Bibli- 
cal study  in  1884  as  Chapter  XI.,  pp.  387,  404. 

{d)  The  Holy  Scriptures  a  means  of  grace. 

Address  before  the  Sunday  School  Teachers  of  the 
Presbytery  of  New  ^ork  in  1883,  repeated  before  the 
Reformed  Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster  and  pub- 
lished as  Chapter  XII.  of  Biblical  Study  in  1884.  (Read 
pp.  411,  412,  416,  417.) 

{e)  Article  on,  A  Critical  Study  of  the  History  of  the 
Higher  Criticism^  in  the  Presbyterian  Review,  1883. 
(Read  pp.  129,  130.) 

{f)  Address  at  the  beginning  of  the  term   of  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  September,  1883,  in  Interpretation  330 
of  Holy   Scripture,    published  as  Chap.   10  of  Biblical 
Study  in  1884.     (Read  pp.  359,  355,  356.) 

{g)  Biblical  Study,  first  edition  1884,  second,  third  and 
fourth  editions  in  subsequent  years.  (Read  pp.  136,  137, 
222,  227,  228,  240,  241.) 

{h)  American  Presbyterianism,  published  in  1885.  (Read 
pp.  9,  10.) 

(i)  Messianic  Prophecy,  published  in  1886.  (Read  pp. 
67,  192,  408.) 

{j)  Whither,  published  in  1889,  second  and  third  edi- 
tions, 1890.     (Read  pp.  11,  285-287.) 

(Jc)  Article,  Bedemjytion  after  Death,  in  the  Magazine 
of  Christian  Literature,  Dec,  1889  (pp.  112,  114). 

(Z)  The  Bible,  the  Church  and  the  Reason^  1891,  con- 
sisting of  an  address  at  the  opening  of  the  term  of  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary,  September  19,  1889,  on 
Biblical  History  ;  an  address  delivered  at  Wellesley  Col- 
lege, and  before  the  American  Institute  of  Sacred  Litera-  381 


92 

ture,  at  Chicago,  on  tlie  Messianic  Ideal,  in  ]890,  and 
several  lectures  delivered  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
elsewhere,  in  order  to  set  forth  the  defendant's  views  of 
the  Bible,  the  Church  and  the  Reason,  in  1891.  (Read 
pp.  63,  64,  115,  117.) 

I  beg  leave  to  put  a  copy  of  this  volume  in  the  hands 
of  every  member  of  the  Presbytery  and  to  ask  them  to 
read  it  as  an  exposition  of  the  Inaugural  for  the  people 
in  the  matter  included  in  the  title. 

Other  passages  will  be  read  in  the  argument  for  the 
defense. 

(6)  I  put  in  evidence  all  the  authorities  cited  in  my 
writings  "in  so  far  as  they  bear  upon  this  case,"  and  es- 
pecially the  following : 

The  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  Vindicated, 
1765. 

Eight    letters    of   Antony    Tuckney     and    Benjamin 
AVhichcote,  London,  1755. 
382       Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Dogmatic  Theology,  1888. 

Orders  and  Regulations  for  Field  Ofiicers  of  the  Salva- 
tion Army,  London,  1891. 

Ball,  Treatise  of  Faith,  1837. 

Martineau's  Seat  of  Authority  in  Religion. 

Westcott's  Commentary  on  the  Epistle  of  John  New- 
man's Apologia. 

A.  A.  Hodge  and  B.  B.  Warfield,  Article,  Inspiration, 
in  Presbyterian  Review,  Vol.  II. 

John  Wallis,  Sermons,  London,  1791. 

Schaff,  Church  History,  The  German  Reformation, 
1888. 

Lyford,  Plain  Man's  Senses  Exercised,  1655. 

Best,  Commentary  on  Galatians. 

Schaff,  Commentary  on  Galatians. 

Lechler,  Commentary  on  Acts. 

Evans  and  Smith,  Inspiration  and  Inerrancy,  new  edi- 
tion, 1892. 

Alexander,  Commentary  on  Acts. 

Delitzsch,  Commentary  on  Genesis,  new  edition,  1887. 

A.  B.  Davidson,  Commentary  on  Job,  1884. 


93 

Delitzsch,  Commentary  on  Ecclesiastes,  1875. 

Kirkpatrick,  Commentary  on  Samuel,  1884. 

Perowne,  Commentary  on  the  Psalter,  6tli  edition,  1886. 

Wesley's  Sermons,  cxxvi.  383 

Calvin's  Commentaries  on  the  New  Testament. 

Westcott,  Commentary  on  Hebrews,  1889. 

Cotton  Mather,  Hades  Looked  Into,  1717. 

Dorner's  Future  State,  edited  by  Smythe,  1883. 

A.  P.  Mitchell,  The  Westminster  Assembly,  1883. 

A.  H.  Strong,  Systematic  Theology,  1886. 

Dr.  Prentiss's  Article,  Infant  Salvation,  in  the  Presby- 
terian Review,  Vol.  lY. 

Cx.  P.  Fisher,  Nature  and  Method  of  Revelation,  1890. 

Lux  Mundi,  1890,  1892. 

White's  Way  to  the  Tree  of  Life,  1848. 

Sunday,  Oracles  of  God,  1891. 

A.  B.  Bruce,  Kingdom  of  God,  1890. 

H.  B.  Smith,  System  of  Theology,  1884. 

W.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Article,  New  York  Observer,  1891. 

W.  H.  Green,  Article,  New  York  Observer,  1891. 

Add  here  the  following  writers  who  testify  to  errors  in 
Holy  ScriiDture,  pp.  215,  235,  of  Bible,  Church  and  Reason. 

And  also  the  following  writers  who  testify  against  the 
Mosaic  authorship  of  the  Pentateuch  and  the  integrity  of 
Isaiah,  pp.  236,  247,  of  Bible,  Church  and  Reason. 

These  are  submitted,  without  reading,  in  accordance 
with  the  ruling  of  the  Presbytery.  All  this  evidence, 
whether  read  or  not  read,  is  filed  so  far  as  it  bears  upon 
this  case. 

The  question  was  here  raised  by  the  Prosecuting  Com-  334 
mittee  of  the  necessity  of  putting  Dr.  Briggs  under  oath, 
in  order  to  the  admission  of  the  evidence  presented  by 
him  from  his  own  works,  otherwise  said  quotations  should 
not  be  accepted  as  evidence.  The  parties  were  heard  on 
this  point,  and  the  Moderator  decided  that  because  the 
whole  evidence  offered  in  the  case  was  documentary  and 
not  personal  or  oral,  and  admitted  to  be  authentic,  the 
administration  of  the  oath  was  not  necessary. 


94 

From  this  decision  tlie  Prosecuting  Committee  took 
exception,  and  asked  to  have  entered  upon  the  record  an 
exception  to  the  above  decision. 

It  was  then  resolved  that  the  documentary  evidence 
which  has  been  offered  by  the  defendant  be  considered 
competent,  whereupon  the  Prosecuting  Committee  took 
exception  and  asl^ed  to  have  entered  upon  the  record  an 
exception  to  the  decision  of  the  Presbytery  in  admitting 
as  lawful  and  competent  evidence  any  part  of  tlie  quota- 
385  tions  made  by  the  accused,  in  so  far  as  they  are  writings 
or  extracts  from  the  writings  of  the  accused,  without  his 
having  first  taken  the  oath  or  affirmation  required  by  sec- 
tion 61  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

The  evidence  from  both  parties  having  been  entered, 
the  Moderator  announced  that  it  is  now  proper  to  hear 
from  the  Prosecuting  Committee.  Whereupon  Dr.  Birch, 
of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  was  heard  in  part. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved  as  far  as  written. 

After  prayer,  Presbytery  took  a  recess  until  to-morrow 


at  2  p.  M. 


S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk, 


386  New  Yoek,    6th  December,  1892. 

BRIGGS  CASE. 
Scotch  Church,  Tuesday,  Dec.  6,  2  p.  m. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator  ;  Geo. 
Alexander,  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Anson  P.  Atterbury, 
W.  W.  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F. 
Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel 
Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis 
Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward 
L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  Wilbur  F.  Crafts,  John 
B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench, 
Wm.  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John 
H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wil- 
liam T.  Elsing,    Charles   P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field, 


95 

Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles 
R.  Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Wood- 
ruff Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings, 
Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hun- 
ter, Samuel  M.  Jackson,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King, 
A.  Dunlop  King,  Josepli  J.  Lampe,  Theodore  Leonliard, 
Milton  S.  Littlefleld,  John  C  Lowrie.  Daniel  E.  Lorenz, 
Wm.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling, 
Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex.  H.  387 
McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace 
G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo. 
Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi 
Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John  R.  Paxton,  Edward 
P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Prit- 
chard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  Rob- 
inson, Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  William 
A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A. 
Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer, 
Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith, 
Wm.  S.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex. 
W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spinning,  Charles  L.  Thompson, 
John  J.  Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Yan  Dyke, 
Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Fred.  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall, 
Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  Webster, 
Erskine  N.  White,  John  T.  Wilds,  Livingston  Willard, 
David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders— Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James  388 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem ;  H. 
Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth 
Avenue  ;  Samuel  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Samuel  H. 
Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Charles  H. 
Woodbury,  Madison  Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morris- 
ania  First ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  Gerardus  C. 
King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware, 
Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
Riverdale  ;     Wm.    M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  R.  ;    Robert 


96 

Houston,  Scotch  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  James  L. 
Birdsall,  Spring  Street ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth 
Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University 
Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A. 
AVheelock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West ; 

389  C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richard  Drummond,  West- 
minster. 

It  was  resolved  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed 
to  consider  and  report  a  principle  which  shall  guide  the 
Presbytery  in  the  granting  of  permission  to  vote  after 
temporary  absence,  and  also  to  receive  the  excuses  ^vhich 
are  offered,  and  report  upon  the  same  to  the  Presbytery. 

The  Moderator  therefore  appointed  as  this  committee 
Messrs.  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Anson  P.  Atterbury  and  James 
C.  Nightingale,  with  elders  Geo.  E.  S terry  and  A.  P. 
Ketch  am. 

Dr.  Birch,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  now  continued 
his  argument. 

Dr.  Briggs  asked  respecting  the  evidence  submitted  by 
him  yesterday,  that  certain  extracts  from  publications 
named,  as  indicated  in  the  pages  given,  which  he  offered 

390  without  reading,  in  order  to  save  time,  be  incorporated 
in  the  stenographer's  notes. 

Whereupon  the  Moderator  decided  that  this  should  be 
done. 

The  Committee  on  Leave  of  Absence  reported  as  follows : 
1st.  That  the  excuse  for  absence  shall  relate  to  a  positive 
and  important  duty.  2d.  That  it  shall  not  involve 
absence  during  two  consecutive  sessions.  3d.  That  the 
absentee  shall  qualify  himself  for  voting  by  readino-  the 
records  of  the  meeting  at  which  he  was  absent.  4th. 
Excuses  must  be  in  w^riting. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved.  Presbytery  now 
took  a  recess  until  to-morrov/  at  2  p.  M. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexandee, 

Stated  Cleric. 


97 

New  York,  7th  December,  1892.  391 
Scotch  Church,  Dec.  7,  2  p.  m. 
BRIGGS  CASE. 

After  recess    Presbytery  met  and   was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :    Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator  ;    Geo. 
Alexander,  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Anson  P.  Atterbury, 
W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F. 
Birch,    Nicholas  Bjerring,    Robert   R.    Booth,    Samuel 
Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis 
Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward 
L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  Wilbur  F.  Crafts,  John 
B.Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench, 
Wm.  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John 
H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  EUinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm. 
T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter 
B.  Floyd,   Jesse  F.  Forbes,    Herbert  Ford,    Charles   R. 
Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff 
Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward 
W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Samuel 
M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett,    Joseph   R.    Kerr, 
Albert  B.  King,  Alexander  Dunlap  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe, 
The.  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlelield,   John  C.    Lowrie,   392 
Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery, 
Francis    H.    Marling,     Henry    T.    McEwen,     James   H. 
Mcllvaine,  Alex.  H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan 
J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C. 
Nightingale,  George  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Danl. 
H.    Overton,    Charles   H.   Parkhurst,   Levi  H.   Parsons, 
James  G.  Patterson,  John  R.  Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson, 
Geo.  S.  Payson,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsey,  Danl. 
Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert 
G.  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  P.  Sample,  Joseph 
Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom 
Shaw,    Geo.   L.    Shearer,    Wm.    G.   T.   Shedd,    Andrew 
Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,   Wm.    C.   Stitt,  Charles  A. 
Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alexander  W.  Sproull,  Geo. 


98 

L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson, 
Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Yan  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
Fredk.  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R. 
Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  John  T. 
Wilds,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

393  Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial  ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem ;  H. 
Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth 
Avenue ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml.  H. 
Willard,  Harlem ;  Charles  H.  Vf  oodbury,  Madison 
Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morrisania  First ;  Thomas 
Anderson,  ISTew  York  ;  Gerardus  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry 
Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay, 
Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale ;  Wm.  M. 
Onderdonk,  Rutgers ;  Robert  Houston,  Knox ;  James 
Anderson,  Seventh  ;   James  L.  Birdsall,  Spring   Street ; 

394  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street;  C.  E.  Garey, 
Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University  Place ;  Robert 
Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle  ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washing- 
ton Heights ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leggett,  West 
End ;  Alex.  Wilson,  West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Richard 
Drummond,  Westminster. 

The  Committee  of  Leave  of  Absence  reported,  recom- 
mending that  the  following  persons  have  unanimous  con- 
sent to  vote,  on  condition  that  they  read  the  evidence 
submitted  during  their  absence  in  full. 

Rev.  Messrs.  Stitt,  W.  D.  Buchanan,  Arreghi,  Shaw, 
E.  N.  White,  DufReld  and  W.  M.  Smith  under  the  rules. 

Whereupon,  by  consent  of  the  parties  and  Court,  they 
were  so  excused. 

It  was  resolved  that  Rev.  Messrs.  Vincent,  Pisek  and 
A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett,  and  Elder  Alexander  Wilson  be 
enrolled. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Van  Dyke,  and  Anson  P.  Atterbury 
resigned  from  the  committee. 


99 

Mr.  McCook,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  then  asked  395 
the  Clerk  to  read  from  pages  572  to  578,  inclusive,  of  the 
stenographer's  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  yesterday, 
Dec.  G,    1892,    down  to   and  including  the   sentence  in 
brackets. 

The  extract  called  for  was  read. 

Thereupon  the  following  exception  was  presented,  in 
compliance  with  Section  25  of  the  Book  of  Discipline : 

In  compliance  with  Section  25  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, the  Prosecuting  Committee  take  exception,  and 
ask  to  have  their  exception  entered  upon  the  record 
as  follows  :  The  stenographic  report  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  judicatory  upon  December  5,  1892,  as.  furnished 
to  the  parties  by  the  stenographer,  beginning  at  the  last 
line  of  page  448  (erased  page  No.  484),  being  about  twenty 
pages  of  the  stenographer's  notes,  contain  words  and 
matter  which  were  not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the 
Presbytery  and  were  introduced,  as  is  stated  by  the 
stenographer,  into  the  stenographic  record,  upon  the  396 
request  of  Prof.  Briggs,  witli  the  approval  of  the 
Moderator. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  further  except,  and  ask 
leave  to  have  their  exception  entered  upon  the  record, 
against  the  decision  and  action  of  the  Moderator,  taken 
at  the  request  of  Prof.  Briggs  in  instructing^^the  stenog. 
rapher,  as  appears  by  page  578  of  the  stenographer's 
report  of  the  proceedings  of  December  6,  1892,  to  insert 
at  page  408  of  the  official  stenographic  report  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  this  court,  had  at  its  sessions  Monday,  Decem- 
ber 5,  1892,  fifteen  additional  printed  sheets. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  record  of  the  request  of  the 
Prosecuting  Committee  be  stricken  out  from  the  minutes, 
which  was  done. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  gave  notice  of  exception, 
viz. : 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  except,  and  ask  their  ex- 
ception to  be  noted  on  the  record,  against  the  action  of 
the  judicatory  in  striking  from  the  minutes  as  read  the 
request  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  to  strike  out  the 


100 

matter  contained  upon  pages  44S  to  a  point  below 
the  middle  of  page  468,  being  about  twenty  pages  of 
the  stenographer's  notes,  which  contain  words  and  mat- 
397  ter  which  were  not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the  Presby- 
tery, and  also  the  request  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee, 
that  fifteen  additional  sheets  which  contain  words  and 
matter  which  were  not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the 
Presbytery,  which  have  been  inserted  at  page  468  of  the 
official  stenographic  report,  be  stricken  out  and  that 
the  accused  be  not  permitted  to  refer  to  or  use  any  portion 
of  said  twenty  pages  of  the  stenographer's  notes  or  of  the 
said  fifteen  additional  printed  sheets,  or  the  books  or 
documents  therein  referred  to  as  evidence  upon  the  trial  or 
in  any  manner  whatever  before  this  judicatory. 

Dr.  Birch,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  now  completed 
his  argument,  and  Mr.  McCook,  of  the  Prosecuting  Com- 
mittee, was  heard  in  part. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Van  Dyke  and  A.  P.  Atterbury 
were,  on  motion,  requested  to  remain  on  the  Committee 
on  Leave  of  Absence. 

After  the  reading  a  part  of  the  minutes  Presbytery  took 
a  recess  until  Tuesday  the  13th,  at  2  p.  m. 


398 


409  New  York,  8th  December,  1892. 

Scotch  Ciiuech,  2  p.  m. 

BRIGGS  CASE. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess  (Dec.  7)  and  was  opened 
with  prayer. 

Present:  Ministers  —  John  C.  Bliss,  Mod'r;  Geo. 
Alexander,  Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Anson  P.  Atterbmy, 
W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F. 
Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Saml. 
Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis 
Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward 
L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S. 
Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant, 


101 

Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards, 
Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing, 
Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd, 
Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Hei'bert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri 
L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm. 
R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock, 
James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  N.  Jackson, 
A.  D.  Lawrence,  Jos.  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop 
King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S. 
Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  W.  M. 
Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  410 
T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alexander  H.  McKinney, 
Alexander  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G. 
Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo. 
Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Charles 
H.  Parkhurst,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson, 
John  R.  Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson, 
Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay, 
Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter, 
Albert  G.  Ruliifson,  William  A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample, 
Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff, 
J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd, 
Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt, 
Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull, 
Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson, 
Henr}^  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  YanDj^ke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
Frederick  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R. 
Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  John  T. 
Wilds,  Erskine  N.  White,  Livinoston  Willard,  David  G. 
Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickins,  Central  ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem ;  411 
H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First  ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry, 
Fourth  Avenue ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ; 
Saml.  H.  Willard,  Harlem ;  Charles  H.  Woodbury, 
Madison    Square ;    Robert  Johnson,    First  Morrisania ; 


102 

Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  Gerardus  C.  King,  North  ; 
Henry  Q.  Ha^vley,  Park  ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo. 
C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm. 
M.  Onderdonk,  K-utgers ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch ; 
James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  James  L.  Birdsall,  Spring 
Street;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street;  C.  E. 
Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University  Place  ;  Robert 
Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washing- 

412  ton  Heights ;  C.   P.  Leggett,  West  End ;  Alex.  Wilson, 
West  Fifty-first  Street ;  Richd.  Drummond,  Westminster. 

On  a  question  of  privilege,  notice  of  intention  to  protest 
against  matter  inserted  in  the  stenographer's  notes,  not 
spoken  upon  the  floor,  was  then  given  by  Elder  A.  P. 
Ketcham. 

Mr.  Cook,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  then  completed 
his  argument. 

It  was  resolved  that  when  we  take  recess  it  be  until 
Tuesday,  December  13th,  at  2  p.  m.,  in  view  of  the  regu- 
lar monthly  meeting  of  Presbytery  on  Monday  next,  at 
3  p.  M. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved  as  far  as  written. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Presbytery  took  recess  until  Tuesday  next. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Cleric. 

New  York,  13th  December,  1892. 

413  BRTGGS  CASE. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess  December  13th,  2  p.  m.,  in 
the  Scotch  Church. 

Present:  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator;  Geo. 
L.  Alexander,  Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi, 
Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  AVallace  Atterburj',  Frederick 
G.  Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  jS'icholas  Bj erring,  Robert 
R.  Booth,  Saml.  Bowden,  Thos.  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James 
Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling, 
John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad 


103 

Doencli,  Wm.  Durant,  Tliomas  Douglas,  Howard 
DufReld,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry 
B.  Elliott,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter 
B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.. 
Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff 
Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward 
W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml. 
M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr, 
Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe, 
Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C. 
Lowrie,  C.  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P. 
Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex.  414 
H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan, 
Horace  G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale, 
Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons, 
James  H.  Patterson,  John  R.  Pax  ton,  Edward  P. 
Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S. 
Ramsey,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B. 
Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  William  A.  Rice,  Robert 
F.  Sample,  Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip 
Schaff,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew 
Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A. 
Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L. 
Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson, 
Henry  M.  Tjmdall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  W^aite,  W.  Scott  Watson, 
Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  Livingston  Willard, 
David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  William  Mickins,  Central ;  Andrew  415 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H. 
Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First  ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth 
Avenue ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml.  H. 
W^illard,  Harlem ;  Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison 
Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morrisania  First ;  Thomas 
Anderson,  New  York  ;  Gerardus  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry 
Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;   James  E.  Ware,  Phillips  ;   Geo.    C. 


104 

Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale ;  Robert 
Houston,  Scotch  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  James  L. 
Birdsall,  Spring  Street ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth 
Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University 
Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A. 
416  Wheel ock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaifray,  West ; 
C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richd.  Drummond,  West- 
minster. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Briggs  now  began  his  defense,  and  con- 
tinued his  argument  until  the  hour  of  recess. 

The  following  members  of  the  court  were  excused, 
under  the  rules,  for  a  part  of  this  afternoon,  Rev.  Messrs. 
J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  Hunter,  Geo. 
Alexander,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Horace  G. 
Miller,  and  Elders  William  Onderdonk  and  Alexander 
Wilson. 

The  following  were  also  excused  for  a  part  of  Wednes- 
day afternoon,  Rev.  Messrs.  Anson  P.  Atterbury  and 
Nicholas  Bjerring  and  Elder  A.  R.  Ledoux. 

The  following  protest,  of  which  notice  was  given  at 
the  last  session  of  the  Court,  was  then  presented  by  A. 
P.  Ketcham,  and  signed  by  A.  P.  Ketcham,  Wm.  G.  T. 
Shedd,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Robert  Russell  Booth,  Israel  H. 
Northrup,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Henry  B.  Elliott,  Thomas 
42*7  Douglas,  Hugh  Pritchard,  Samuel  Bowden,  W.  B.  Floyd, 
A.  W.  Sproull,  Conrad  Doench,  H.  G.  Miller,  Robert 
Houston,  James  Hall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  Thomas 
Anderson,  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Edward  P.  Pay  son. 

PROTEST. 

The  undersigned,  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  present  at  the  judicial  proceedings  held  on  the 
fifth  and  sixth  days  of  December,  1892,  in  the  case  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
against  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  and  not  ap- 
proving of  the  proceedings  in  said  case  as  hereinafter 
recited,  do  in  compliance  with  section  104  of  the  Book  of 
Dicipline,  respectfully  protest  against  the  injurious  and 
erroneous  acts  and  proceedings  hereinafter  described. 


105 

The  attention  of  the  judicatory  has  been  called  to  the 
fact  that  the  stenographic  report  of  the  proceedings  of 
this  body  upon  December  5,  1892,  includes  about 
twenty  pages  of  stenographer's  notes  beginning  at  the 
last  line  of  page  448,  erased  page  No.  461,  to  a  point  be-  418 
low  the  middle  of  page  468,  erased  page  No.  484,  which 
contain  words  and  matter  which  were  not  spoken  upon 
the  floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and,  as  it  is  stated  by  the 
stenographer,  were  inserted  into  the  stenographic  report, 
upon  the  request  or  suggestion  of  Professor  Briggs,  with 
the  approval  of  the  Moderator.  This  insertion  of  about 
twenty  pages  of  new  matter,  which  purports  to  be 
evidence  in  the  case,  now  before  the  Presbytery,  was 
made  by  the  stenographer  in  the  interval  between  two 
sessions  of  the  judicatory,  and  after  it  had  been  an- 
nounced to  the  house  that  both  of  the  parties  had  fully 
presented  their  evidence  and  after  the  argument  in  be- 
half of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  had  been  begun.  The 
fact  that  it  was  proposed  to  insert  in  the  stenographer' s 
minutes  said  twenty  pages  of  notes,  purporting  to  be 
evidence  in  the  case,  was  not  passed  upon  or  authorized 
by  the  judicatory  or  mentioned  upon  the  floor,  or  in  any 
way  called  to  the  attention  of  the  house  until  towards 
the  close  of  the  next  day's  session.  (Stenographer's 
Eeport,  p.  572.) 

The  attention  of  the  judicatory  has  also  been  called  to  419 
the  fact,  that  in  addition  to  the  twenty  pages  of  steno- 
grapher's notes,  containing  new  matter  purporting  to  be 
evidence  in  this  case  inserted  in  the  stenographer's  report 
as  above  described,  that  it  appears,  by  page  578  of  the 
stenographer's  report  of  the  proceedings  of  December  6, 
1892,  that  there  had  been  inserted  at  page  468  of  the 
official  stenographic  report  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
body,  held  on  Monday,  December  5,  1892,  fifteen  ad- 
ditional printed  sheets,  which  fifteen  additional  printed 
sheets  are  said  to  contain  words  and  matter  which  were 
not  spoken  upon  the  floor  of  the  Presbytery,  and  were 
introduced  by  the  stenographer  into  the  official  steno- 
graphic report  of  the  proceedings,  as  the  minutes  of  De- 


106 

cember  6,  1892  (page  578),  show,  upon  the  request  or 
suggestion  of  Prof.  Briggs,  and  b}^  direction  of  the 
Moderator. 

This  insertion  of  fifteen  additional  printed  sheets  of 
new  matter  which  purports  to  be  evidence  in  the  case  now 
before  this   Presbytery  was  made  by  the  stenographer 

420  after  it  had  been  announced  to  the  house  tliat  both  of  the 
parties  had  fully  presented  their  evidence  and  after  the 
argument  in  behalf  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  had 
been  begun. 

The  fact  that  it  was  proposed  to  insert  in  the  stenog- 
rapher's  minutes  the  said  fifteen  additional  printed 
sheets,  purporting  to  be  evidence  in  the  case,  was  not 
passed  upon  or  authorized  by  the  judicatory  as  such. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  having  called  attention  to 
these  unauthorized  additions  to  the  stenographer's  record, 
above  referred  to,  and  having  taken  exception  thereto, 
they  asked  that  the  said  twenty  pages  of  stenographer's 
notes  and  the  said  fifteen  additional  printed  sheets,  pur- 
porting to  be  evidence  in  the  judicial  case,  so  introduced 
into  the  official  stenographic  record,  should  be  stricken 
therefrom,  and  that  the  accused  should  not  be  permitted 
to  refer  to  or  use  the  contents  of  said  twenty  pages  of 
stenographer's  notes   or  of  the   said    fifteen  additional 

421  P^'^^^*^^^  sheets,  or  any  of  the  extracts,  documents  or  books 
in  either  of  them  contained,  recited  or  referred  to,  as  evi- 
dence upon  the  trial,  or  in  any  manner  whatever  before 
this  judicatory,  and  a  motion  having  been  duly  made  and 
seconded,  that  the  judicatory  should  comply  with  the 
request  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  and  strike  out  all 
such  matter  from  the  stenographic  report,  said  motion 
was  declared  b}^  the  Moderator  to  be  out  of  order  and  was 
not  put  to  the  house  ;  subsequently,  on  motion  made  and 
seconded,  the  record  upon  the  official  minutes  of  Presby- 
tery of  the  request  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  to  strike 
out  said  twenty  pages  of  stenographer's  notes  and  said 
fifteen  additional  printed  sheets,  was  stricken  from  the 
minutes  of  Presbytery,  and  exception  was  taken  thereto 
by  the  Prosecuting  Committee. 


107 

We  respectfully  protest  against  the  above-described 
proceedings  and  action  of  the  judicatory  for  the  follow- 
ing reasons : 

First.  The  stenographic  report  of  the  proceedings  of  a 
Judicatory  should  give  an  exact  report  of  all  that  is  said  422 
upon  the  floor,  and  nothing  more.  By  the  proceedings 
l^rotested  against  there  has  been  added  to  the  stenograph- 
er's record  much  new  matter,  which  should  not  have  been 
inserted  there. 

Second.  As  the  new  matter  thus  introduced  and  im- 
properly inserted  in  the  stenographer's  record,  x^virpoi'ts 
to  be  evidence  in  the  case,  it  is  misleading,  erroneous  and 
irregular  and  may  greatly  hamper,  embarrass  and  possi- 
bly vitiate  the  entire  judicial  proceedings. 

Third.  Orderly  procedure  and  obligation  to  set  forth 
upon  the  record  the  exact  facts  in  a  judicial  proceeding, 
require  that  no  pains  should  be  spared  to  secure  the  ac- 
curacy and  integrity  of  the  official  stenographic  rejoort  of 
the  proceedings. 

Fourth.  By  the  proceedings  and  action  now  protested 
against,  the  entire  record  of  this  important  judicial  case 
may  be  rendered  invalid  and  ineffectual,  thus  bringing 
discredit  upon  our  system  and  working  irreparable  dam- 
age to  one  or  other  of  the  parties,  to  the  cause  of  truth  423 
and  the  exercise  of  a  wise  and  just  discipline. 
Signed  as  above. 

New  York,  December  8,  1892. 

It  was  then  resolved  that  a  committee  be  ajDpointed  to 
prepare  an  answer  to  the  above  protest  to  be  entered  on 
the  record. 

Whereupon  the  following  were  appointed  such  a 
committee:  Rev.  Messrs.  Francis  Brown  and  Duncan 
J.  McMillan,  with  Elder  Cleveland  H.  Dodge. 

After  the  reading  and  approving  of  the  minutes  as  far 
as  written,   Presbytery  took  a  recess  till  to-morrow  at 

2  p.  M. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


108 
New  Yokk,  14tli  December,  1892. 

424  BRIGGS  CASE. 

Scotch  Church,  Tuesday,  Dec.  14,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — Jolm  C.  Bliss,  Mod.:  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreglii,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe, 
Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Saml.  Bowden, 
Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Francis  Brown, 
Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward  L. 
Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge, 
Conrad  Doench,  William  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood, 
Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  E.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani, 
Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes, 
Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard, 
James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw, 
Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H. 
Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  Law- 
rence Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlap 
King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C. 
Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,   Charles  P. 

425  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James 
H.  Ilvaine,  Alex.  H.  McKinney,  Alexr.  McLean,  Duncan 
J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L. 
Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H. 
Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G. 
Patterson,  John  R.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Vincent 
Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsey,  Daniel 
Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter, 
Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample, 
Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schalf, 
J.  Balcom  Shaw,  George  L.  Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd, 
Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles 
A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,   Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo. 


109 

L.  Spilling,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson, 
Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
Thom^as  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson, 
Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  Livingston  Willard, 
David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany ;  Alex.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary ; 
Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ  ; 
James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  426 
Fifth  Avenue ;  Eugene  McJimpsey,  First ;  John 
Mc William,  Fourth ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue ; 
Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street;  Saml.  H.  Willard, 
Harlem ;  Joseph.  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Charles  H.  Wood- 
bury, Madison  Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  First  Morrisania ; 
Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry 
Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay, 
Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale ;  Wm.  M. 
Onderdonk,  Rutgers,  R.  ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch  ;  James 
Anderson,  Seventh  ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ; 
C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University  Place  ; 
Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock, 
Washington  Heights;  Robert  Jaffray,  West;  C.  P.  427 
Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richd.  Drummond,  Westminster. 

After  the  roll  call  Dr.  Briggs  continued  his  argument. 
At  twenty  minutes  of  four  o'clock  an  intermission  of  ten 
minutes  was  taken,  after  which  Dr.  Briggs  continued  his 
argument  until  recess. 

It  was  resolved  that  Dr.  Briggs  have  leave  to  present  to 
the  Court  a  part  of  his  argument  in  print  without  read- 
ing, and  that  this  part  go  into  the  official  report  of  the 
stenographer. 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  excepted  and  asks  to  have 
its  exception  noted  ux)on  the  record  to  the  action  of  the 
Presbytery  in  resolving  that  Dr.  Briggs  have  leave  to 
present  to  the  Court  a  part  of  his  argument  in  print  with- 
out reading,  and  that  this  fact  go  into  the  official  report 
of  the  stenographer. 

Whereupon  Dr.  Sutton  gave  notice  of  protest  against 
this  action. 


no 

After  the  reading  and  approval  of  the  minutes  as  far  as 
written,  and  prayer,  Presbytery  took  a  recess. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


428  New  York,  15th  December,  1892. 

BRIGGS  C/iSE. 
Scotch  Church,  2  p.  m. 

After  recess  Presbytery  met  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Mod. ;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe, 
Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth, 
Saml.  Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers, 
Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart 
Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood, 
Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani, 
Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes, 
Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard, 
James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw, 
Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H. 
Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  Law- 
rence Jew^ett,  Joseph  H.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop 
King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S. 
Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.   Lorenz,   Wm.  M. 

429  Martin,  Ch.  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T. 
McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex.  H.  McKinney, 
Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller, 
Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale, 
Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  North rup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi 
H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John  R.  Paxton,  Edward 
P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh 
Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S. 


Ill 

Kobinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliifson,  Wm. 
A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Josepli  Sanderson,  Joseph 
A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L. 
Shearer,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Andrew  Sliiland,  Wilton  M. 
Smith,  Wm.  0.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sut- 
ton, Alex.  W.  Spronll,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L. 
Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry 
Van  Dyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Fred.  E.  Yoegelin, 
Thomas  G.  AYall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson, 
Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  Livingston  Willard, 
David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  Alex- 
ander P.  Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  William  Mickens,  Central ;  430 
Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem; 
H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  Mc Jimp- 
sey.  First ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry, 
Fourth  xlvenue  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml. 
H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Charles 
H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  First 
Morrisania  ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King, 
North ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phil- 
lips ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
Riverdale ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers,  R.  ;  Robert 
Houston,  Knox  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  Wm.  R. 
Worrall,  Thirteentli  Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ; 
Thomas  Bond,  University  Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  431 
Tabernacle;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights; 
Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richard 
Drummond,  Westminster,  etc. 

After  the  calling  of  the  roll  Dr.  Briggs  continued  his 
argument. 

At  twenty  minutes  to  four  an  intermission  of  a  few 
minutes  was  taken,  after  Avhich  Dr.  Briggs  handed  to  the 
members  of  the  Court  in  print  a  portion  of  that  part  of 
his  argument  referred  to  in  the  resolution  of  yesterday. 
He  then  continued  his  argument  until  the  hour  of  recess. 

Under  the  rule,  and  with  unanimous  consent,  the  fol- 
lowing ministers  were  excused  from  Monday's  session  i 


112 

C.  L.  Thompson,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  Wm.  Durant, 
Erskine  N.  White,  Frank  F.  EUinwood  and  Milton  S. 
Littlelield. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  so  far  as 
written,  Presbytery  took  a  recess  until  to-morrow  at  2 

p.  M. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk. 


432  New  York,  19th  December,  1892. 
Scotch  Church,  December  19,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator  ;  Geo. 
Alexander,  Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson 
P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G. 
Beebe,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R. 
Booth,  Saml.  Bowden,  Thos.  S.  Bradner,  Chas.  A. 
Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James 
Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S. 
Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Thomas  Doug- 
las, Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellin- 
wood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fag- 
nani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes, 
Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard, 
James  Hall,  A.  W.  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S. 
Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley, 
James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett, 
Jos.  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J. 
Lampe,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlelield,  John 
C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P. 
Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  Alex. 
McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J. 

433  Mingins,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H. 
Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James 
G.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Vincent 
Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Red- 


11:^ 

mon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Eorssiter,  Albert  G. 
Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Jos.  Sander- 
son, Jos.  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo. 
L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C. 
Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W. 
Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Cli.  L.  Thompson,  Jolm  J. 
Thompson,  Henry  M,  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin 
R.  Vincent,  Frederick  E.  Voegelin,  Thos.  G.  Wall, 
Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster, 
Erskine  N.  White,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders— Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  Alex. 
P.  Ketch  am,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H. 
Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First;  John  Mc William,  Fourth;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth 
Avenue  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street  ;  Saml.  H.  Wil-  434 
lard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Charles  H. 
Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  First 
Morrisania ;  G.  C.  King,  ]>^'orth;  Henry  Q.  Hawley, 
Park  ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ; 
Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk, 
Rutgers,  R.  ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch  ;  James  Anderson, 
Seventh ;  W^m.  R.  W^orrali,  Thirteenth  Street ;  C.  E. 
Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond,  University  Place ; 
Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle  ;  W^m.  A.  Wheelock, 
W^ashington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leg- 
gett,  West  End  ;  Richard  Drummond,  Westminster. 

Alter  the  calling  of  the  roll  Dr.  Briggs  continued 
his  argument. 

At  a  quarter  to  four  a  brief  intermission  was  taken,  when  435 
Dr.  Briggs  concluded  his  argument. 

Dr.  Briggs  raised  the  following  question,  viz.:  that  ac- 
cording to  the  Book  of  Discipline  the  Prosecution  have 
no  right  to  rebuttal. 

On  this  question  Dr.  Briggs  asked  for  a  ruling. 

The  hour  of  adjournment  having  arrived,  it  was  resolved 
at  this  point  that  the  time  be  extended  fifteen  minutes. 
After  hearing  from  the  parties  the  Moderator  ruled  : 


114 

1.  Tliat  the  usage  in  sucli  cases  is  against  the  point 
which  is  raised. 

2.  That  usage  is  based  upon  the  law  of  the  Church, 
governing  complaints  and  appeals,  which  distinctly  give 
us  this  order  of  the  opening,  and  the  closing  being  on  the 
part  of  those  who  present  their  case,  the  greater  includ- 
ing the  less. 

3.  That  the  parties  cannot  have  been  said  to  have  been 
heard  until  the  Prosecution  has  had  a  full  opportunity 
to  present  its  whole  case.  It  has  only  presented  a  part 
of  that  case  so  far.  It  has  taken  a  very  small  portion  of 
time   compared   with   that  accorded   to  the    defendant. 

436  You  have  heard  the  defendant  patiently  and  fully,  as 
you  should  have  done,  and  now,  in  the  view  of  the 
Moderator,  it  is  only  fair,  it  is  only  in  accordance  with 
our  usage  and  with  the  principles  of  the  Book,  that  the 
Prosecution  should  be  heard  fully,  but  not  presenting  new 
matter. 

An  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Moderator  was  then 
taken  ;  whereupon  the  Moderator' s  decision  was  by  vote 
of  the  house  sustained. 

Under  the  rules  Rev.  Messrs.  Jos.  H.  Kerr  and  Shearer 
were,  by  unanimous  consent,  excused  for  to-morrow. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes,  as  far  as 
written,  and  prayer.  Presbytery  took  a  recess  until  to- 
morrow, at  2  P.  M. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Cleric. 


437  New  Yoek,  20th  December,  1892. 

Scotch  Church,  Tuesday,  Dec.  20th,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Mod. ;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio^'Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Fred.  G.  Beebe, 
Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth,[,Saml.  Bowden,  T.  S. 


115 

Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs,  Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Francis 
Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward 
L.  Chirk,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge.  Conrad  Doench, 
Wm.  Durant,  Thos.  Douglas,  Howard  Duflield,  John  H. 
Edwards,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T. 
Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B. 
Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett, 
Henri  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey, 
Wm.  11.  Harshaw,  Thos.  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitch- 
cock, James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jack- 
son, A.  D.  Lawrence  Jewett,  Joseph  11.  Kerr,  Albert  B. 
King,  A.  Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Theodore  Leon- 
hard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E. 
Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H. 
Marling,  Henry  T.  McEvven,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alex. 
H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan, 
Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James 
C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Mxon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Dan.  H. 
Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  John  R. 
Paxton,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Pay  son,  Vincent  433 
Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  Red- 
mon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G. 
Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robert  F.  Sample,  Joseph  San- 
derson, Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  B.  Shaw, 
Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm. 
C.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W. 
Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Ch.  L.  Thompson,  John  J. 
Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin 
R.  Vincent,  Fred.  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott 
L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  E.  IS". 
White,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — Moses  P.  Brown,  Adams  Memorial ;  James 
Tompkins,  Bethany;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick;  Alex. P. 
Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  Andrew 
Robinson,  Christ;  James  McDowell,  East  Harlem;  H. 
Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJimpsey, 
First ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Uni- 
versity Place  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  Saml.  H.  439 
Willard,    Harlem ;    Joseph  Moorhead,    Knox ;    Ch.    H. 


116 

Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morris- 
ania  First ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King, 
JSTorth  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E,  Ware,  Phil- 
lips ;  G-eo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  River- 
dale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  ;  Robert  Houston, 
Scotch  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh  ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall, 
Thirteenth  Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond, 
University  Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ; 
Wm.  A.  Wheel ock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaffray, 
West;  C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End;  Richard  Druiiiinond, 
Westminster. 

After  the  ca^lling  of  the  roll  the  Committee  a^Dpointed 
to  bring  in  an  answer  to  the  protest  made  December  13, 

440  1892,  presented  the  following  answer,  viz. :  The  Presby- 
tery desires  to  record  the  following  answer  in  accordance 
with  Section  106  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  to  the  protest 
signed  by  A.  P.  Ketcham,  W.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Geo.  L.  Shearer 
and  others  against  action  of  this  Judicatory  relating  to  the 
record  of  evidence  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D. 

I.  The  Presbytery  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that 
though  the  protest  is  declared  to  be  made  against  "injur- 
ious and  erroneous  acts  and  proceedings,"  it  cites  but 
one  act  against  which  i^rotest  is  lawful.  Section  104  of 
the  Book  of  Discipline  gives  to  members  of  a  minority 
the  right  to  protest.  A  minority  exists  only  when  some 
question  has  been  decided  by  a  majority  vote.  The  only 
such  action  related  in  the  protest  is  the  vote  of  the  Pres- 
bytery to  strike  out  the  record  of  a  request  made  by  the 
Prosecution.  Against  this  action  only,  among  the  pro- 
ceedings set  forth  in  the  protest,  is  the  protest  lawful. 
But  it  is  noteworthy  that,  of  the  four  reasons  assigned  by 
the  protestants,  not  one  i-elates  to  the  question  whether 
the  Presbytery  erred  in  striking  out  the  record  of  this 
request. 

441  The  reasons  therefore  do  not  sustain  the  protest,  and 
it  might  be  enough  to  record  the  fact  as  a  sufficient 
legal  answer  to  the  protest.  But  inasmuch  as  the  protest 
calls  in  question  certain  other  proceedings,  on  alleged 


117 

grounds  of  justice  and  error,  the  Presbytery  deems  it  wise 
and  proper,  notwithstanding  this  technical  defect,  to 
cover  in  its  answer  all  the  matters  embraced  in  the  pro- 
test. 

IT.  The  Presbytery  finds  the  relation  of  facts  in  the 
protest  to  be  incomplete,  inaccurate  and  misleading  in 
several  particulars,  and  desires  to  supplement  and  correct 
it,  as  follows  : 

(a)  The  matter  now  appearing  on  pp.  448-468  of  the 
stenographer's  official  notes  and  in  the  printed  sheets  in- 
serted at  p.  468  of  the  said  notes,  and  referred  to  in  the 
protest,  Avas  all  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Presbytery, 
was  i)laced  in  the  hands  of  each  member  of  the  Presby- 
tery and  of  the  Prosecution  in  printed  form,  was  offered 
by  the  defendant  as  evidence,  and  was  sufficiently  de- 
scribed and  identified  by  him. 

{b)  The  defendant  was  prepared  and  ready  to  read  the 
evidence  if  the  Presbytery  so  desired,  and  omitted  the  442 
reading  of  it  solely  to  save  the  time  of  the  Presbyter}^, 
already  severely  taxed. 

(c)  In  this,  the  defendant  evidently  acted  in  good  faith, 
and  with  the  simple  desire  to  meet  the  convenience  of  the 
Presbytery,  and  the  Presbytery  so  understood  and  ac- 
quiesced without  a  word  of  dissent. 

(d)  After  the  defendant  had  offered  all  his  evidence, 
including  the  evidence  which  has  been  made  the  occasion 
of  protest,  the  Presbytery  voted  "that  the  documentary 
evidence  which  has  been  offered  by  the  defendant  be 
considered  competent."  (Minutes  of  Presbyter}^  Decem- 
ber 5,  1892,  p.  384.) 

{e)  The  contents  of  the  pages  indicated,  in  the  stenog- 
rapher's report,  are  therefore  not  "new  matter  which 
purports  to  be  evidence,"  as  the  protest  terms  them,  nor 
were  they  introduced  after  the  time  for  the  lawful  intro- 
duction of  evidence  was  x)ast,  but  they  are  a  part  of  the 
evidence  introduced  by  the  defendant  lawfully  and  at 
the  proper  time. 

(/')  Assuming  it  to  be  true  that  the  matter  on  pages 
448-468  of  the  stenographer's  report  was  there  recorded  443 


118 

by  the  antliority  of  the  Moderator,  it  is  evident  that  the 
authority  of  the  Moderator,  in  this,  gave  effect  to  the  will 
of  the  Presbytery  indicated  hj  its  acquiescence  and  con- 
sent aforesaid. 

(g)  In  addition  to  his  general  powers  as  representative 
of  the  Presbytery,  the  Moderator  had  the  special  powers 
vested  in  him  as  Chairman  and  representative  of  the 
Committee  appointed  November  28,  1892,  ''to  supervise 
the  official  stenographer's  report  of  the  proceedings." 
(Minutes  of  November  28,  1892,  p.  347.) 

{7i)  There  is  no  evidence  in  the  stenographer's  notes  or 
elsewhere,  that  the  contents  of  pp.  448-468,  of  said  notes 
or  any  part  of  them,  were  ' '  inserted ' '  in  any  other  sense 
than  would  properly  apply  to  all  the  stenographer's  ma- 
terials, including  his  short-hand  notes  and  such  written 
or  printed  documents  as  are  placed  in  his  hands,  which 
are  put  in  the  type- written  form  ' '  in  the  interval  between 
two  sessions  of  the  judicatory." 
444  (i)  The  fifteen  sheets  of  printed  matter  referred  to  in 
the  protest  were  introduced  by  the  direction  of  the  Mod- 
erator in  open  Presbytery,  and  with  tlie  full  accord  of 
Presbytery  ;  the  Moderator  making  his  decision  distinctly, 
stating  it  repeatedly,  and  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that 
his  decision  was  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  house,  if  any 
one  should  appeal  ;  and  neither  the  Prosecution  nor  any 
one  of  the  protestants,  nor  any  other  member  of  the  judi- 
catory, made  a  motion,  or  showed  a  desire  to  take  such 
an  appeal.  (Minutes  of  Dec.  6,  1892,  pp.  389,  390  ;  Stenog- 
rapher' s  Report,  pp.  577,  578.) 

{j)  He  previously  decided  that  evidence  need  not  be 
read  to  the  Presbytery  in  order  to  be  competent  evidence 
(Minutes  Nov.  30,  1892,  pp.  362,  370  ;  stenographer's  re- 
port, pp.  297,  314,  364),  and  the  action  concerning  the  evi- 
dence now  under  consideration  accorded  with  that  de- 
cision. 

(k)  The  Presbytery  calls  attention  to  the  statement  of 
the  protest  that  "a  motion  having  been  duly  made  and 
seconded,  that  the  judicatory  should  comply  with  the  re- 
quest of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  and  strike  out  all 


119 

such  matter  from  the  stenographer's  report,  such  motion 
was  declared  out  of  order  by  the  Moderator,  and  was  not 
put  to  the  house,"  as  an  erroneous  statement,  in  that, 
it  appears  from  the  stenographer's  notes,  no  such  motion  445 
was  made.  The  only  motion  offered  in  behalf  of  the 
Prosecution  in  this  matter  was  the  motion  to  have  their 
request  entered  on  the  minutes  ;  an  amendment  was 
offered  to  the  effect  that  their  request  be  excluded  from 
the  minutes,  and  the  motion  passed  in  the  amended  form. 
(Stenographic  report,  pp.  582,  591,  662,  681,  684,  696,  es- 
pecially pp.  664,  671  and  672.) 

III.  The  reasons  assigned  in  the  protest  are,  as  already 
indicated,  totally  irrelevant,  since  they  have  no  connection 
with  the  only  part  of  the  proceedings  referred  to  against 
which  protest  is  lawful,  viz.:  the  decision  of  Presbytery 
to  exclude  from  the  record  a  request  made  by  the  Prose- 
cution. But  they  embody  criticisms  of  action  taken  by 
the  Moderator  and  the  Presbytery  which  the  Presbytery 
is  unwilling  to  pass  by  without  notice. 

(a)  The  first    "reason"    is,   in   the   judgment  of  the 
Presbytery,  an  invalid  criticism,  because,  while  the  sten- 
ographer's report  of  the  proceedings  should  be  an  exact  446 
record,  that  report  may  and  properly   should  include 
whatever  is  received  and  taken  as  read  and  spoken,  and 

so  given  the  effect  of  read  or  spoken  words.  The  evidence 
under  consideration  was,  to  save  valuable  time,  offered 
without  reading  and  taken  as  read. 

(b)  The  second  "reason"  is,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Presbytery,  an  invalid  criticism,  because  no  "new  matter ' ' 
was  introduced  into  the  stenographer' s  notes,  because  the 
matter  referred  to  had  been  brought  before  the  Presbytery, 
and  was  properly  introduced,  and  because  said  matter  is 
actually  evidence  in  the  case,  admitted  by  the  Presbytery 
-as  competent.  The  Presbytery  is  therefore  unable  to  see 
how  there  can  be  therein  anything  "misleading,  erroneous 
and  irregular,"  or  anything  "that  may  greatly  hamper, 
embarrass  and  possibly  vitiate  the  entire  judicial  pro- 
€eedings." 


120 

(c)  The  third  "reason"  is,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Presbytery,  an  invalid  criticism,  because  the  accuracy  and 
integrity  of  the  official  stenographic  report  of  the  pro- 
ceedings were  in  fact  secured  by  the  incorporation  of  the 
said  matter  in  the  said  report,  and  would  not  have  been 
secured  otherwise. 

447  (^d)  The  fourth  ''reason"  is,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Presbytery,  an  invalid  criticism,  because  the  Presbytery 
is  unable  to  see  how  "the  entire  records  of  this  important 
case  may  be  rendered  invalid  and  ineffectual,"  by  the 
action  criticised,  unless  the  incorporation  in  the  record  of 
all  the  evidence  which  the  judicatory  has  admitted  as 
competent,  instead  of  the  admission  of  a  part,  should 
have  the  effect  of  making  the  record  "invalid  and  inef- 
fectual," which  seems  absurd. 

TV.  Although  a  protest,  with  relevant  reasons,  against 
the  action  of  the  Presbytery  in  excluding  the  record  of 
the  request  of  the  Prosecution  from  the  minutes  of  Pres- 
byteiy,  would  be  technically  in  order,  it  seems  surprising 
that  any  should  suppose  the  record  of  the  request  to  be 
admissible. 

(a)  No  action  on  the  request  was  taken,  or  even  pro- 
posed, and  the  minutes  do  not  include  a  record  of  action 
not  taken. 

448  {b)  The  request  was  to  the  effect  that  the  said  twenty 
pages  of  the  stenographer's  notes  and  the  said  fifteen 
additional  printed  sheets  should  be  stricken  from  the 
official  stenographic  record, ''  and  that  the  accused  should 
not  be  permitted  to  refer  to  or  use  the  contents  of  said 
twenty  pages  of  stenographer's  notes,  or  of  the  said 
fifteen  additional  printed  sheets,  or  any  of  the  extracts, 
documents  or  books  in  either  of  them  contained,  recited 
or  referred  to,  as  evidence  upon  the  trial,  or  in  any 
manner  w^hatever,  before  this  judicatory."  Notwithstand- 
ing the  facts  that  the  Presbytery  had  by  vote  declared 
this  with  the  other  evidence  offered  by  the  defendant  to 
be  competent  evidence,  and  that  it  w^as  actually  a  part  of 
the  lawful  evidence  presented  by  the  defendant,  and  that 
the  Moderator  had  explicitly  so  recognized  it  and  secured 


121 

its  embodiment  in  the  official  stenographic  record  as 
aforesaid,  and  that  no  appeal  had  been  taken  from  the 
decision  of  the  Moderator  that  it  should  be  embodied 
therein,  and  that  for  these  reasons  the  Prosecution  liad 
no  riglit  to  make  the  request,  and  that  the  Moderator  had 
ruled  that  the  request  was  not  in  order,  and  matters 
declared  to  be  not  in  order  have  no  place  on  the  official 
record  of  proceedings. 

(c)  The  attempt  to  secure  the  record  of  the  said  request  449 
under  the  guise  of  the  record  of  an  exception,  which 
exception  the  prosecution  were  entitled,  if  they  thought 
best,  to  take  to  any  part  of  the  proceedings  that  they 
disapproved  was  improper  and  out  of  order. 

Y.  Inasmuch  as, 

(a)  The  failure  to  include  in  the  official  stenographer's 
report  a  part  of  the  evidence  which  had  been  offered  by  the 
defendant,  taken  as  read  by  the  acquiescence  and  consent 
of  the  judicatory,  and  by  vote  accepted  as  competent, 
would  have  been  an  irregular  act,  and  one  of  singular  in- 
justice to  the  defendant ;  and  (b)  the  inclusion  of  the  said 
evidence  in  the  said  report  involved  no  wrong,  hardship 
or  injustice  to  the  prosecution,  and  the  prosecution  there- 
fore had  no  just  ground  for  desiring  that  it  be  not  in- 
cluded, or  for  seeking  to  deprive  the  defendant  of  his 
right  to  use  it  for  the  purposes  of  his  defense  before  the 
judicatory,  and  (c)  the  action  and  the  decisions  of  the 
Moderator,  in  reference  to  this  matter,  and  the  acquies- 
cence of  the  Presbytery  therein,  appear  to  have  been 
equitable  and  right,  and  {d)  the  exclusion  of  the  request 
of  the  prosecution  from  the  minutes,  by  vote  of  the 
Presbytery,  was  in  accordance  with  precedent  and  the 
requirements  of  the  case. 

Therefore,  in  view  of  all  the  foregoing  considerations, 
the  Presbytery  is  unable  to  see  any  justification  for  the 
protest,  or  any  proper  ground  for  the  criticisms  contained 
therein. 

The  following  persons  were  excused  under  the  rule  and 
by  unanimous  consent,  for  being  absent  yesterday  :  Rev. 
Messrs.  S.  B.  Rossiter,  W.  L.  Moore,  W.  C.  Stitt,  J.  H. 


122 

Mcllvaine,  A.  H.  McKinney,  witli  Thomas  Anderson. 
For  to-day  the  following  were  thus  excused :  J.  R.  Paxton, 
W.  W.  Atterbury,  with  Elders  A.  P.  Ketcham  and 
Samuel  Reeve.  For  to-morrow  C.  S.  Robinson  and  N. 
Bj  erring. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  of  the  Prosecuting  Com- 
mittee, was  then  heard.  At  twenty-five  minutes  of  four 
a  brief  intermission  was  taken,  when  Dr.  Lampe  con- 
tinued his  argument  till  recess. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  presented  suggestions 
for  taking  the  vote.  The  report,  was,  on  motion,  laid  on 
the  table  until  to-morrow. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved  as  far  as  written. 

Presbytery  now  took  a  recess.    Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  ClerJc. 


451  New  York,  21st  December,  1892. 

Scotch  Church,  2  p.  m. 


Presbytery  met  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Present:  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator;  Geo. 
Alexander,  Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson 
P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Fred.  G.  Beebe, 
Geo.  W.  F.  Birch,  Nicholas  Bj  erring,  Robt.  R.  Booth, 
Saml.  Bowden,  Thos.  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers, 
Edward  L.  Clark,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad 
Doench,  William  Durant,  Thos.  Douglas,  Howard  Duf- 
field,  John  H.  Edwards,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing, 
Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd, 
Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri 
Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  W.  Halsey,  Wm,  R.  Har- 
shaw,.  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James 
H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Saml.  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  L. 
Jewett,  Jos.  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop  King, 
Jos.  J.  Lampe,  Theo.  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield, 
John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin, 
452  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  Mc- 


123 

Ewen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  A.  H.  McKinney,  Alex. 
McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J. 
Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  J.  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon, 
I.  H.  Northrup,  Dan.  H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons, 
James  G.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson, 
Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay, 
Daniel  Redmon,  Chaiies  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter, 
A.  G.  Ruliffsoii,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Robt.  P.  Sample,  Jos.  San- 
derson, Jos.  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw, 
Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm. 
C.  Stitt,  Ch.  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W. 
Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  C.  L.  Thompson,  John  J. 
Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin 
R.  Vincent,  Fred.  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  A.  L. 
R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  E.  N. 
White,  L.  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — James  Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux, 
Brick  ;  A.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Central ;  ^h'>3 
James  McDowell,  East  Harlem  ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland, 
Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene  McJim^Dsey,  First ;  John  Mc Wil- 
liam, Fourth  ;  Geo.  E.  Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Saml.  H. 
Willard,  Harlem ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ; 
Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Chas.  H.  Woodbury,  Madison 
Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  Morrisania  First ;  Thomas 
Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry  Q. 
Hawley,  Park  ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips;  Geo.  C.  Lay, 
Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm.  M. 
Onderdonk,  Rutgers ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch  ;  James 
Anderson,  Seventh  ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ; 
C.  E.  Gare}^,  Tremont;  Thomas^Bond,  University  Place; 
Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock, 
Washington  Heights ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leg- 
gett.  West  End  ;  Richard  Drummond,  Westminster. 

After  the  calling  of  the  roll.  Dr.  Briggs  took  exception  ^^^ 
to  the  proceedings  of  yesterday,  as  follows  : 

I  beg  leave  to  take  exception  to  that  part  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Presbytery,  of  yesterday,  recorded  in  the 
stenographical  report,  which  permitted  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Lampe,   arguing  on   behalf   of   the   Prosecution,    under 


124 

the  cloak  of  a  rebuttal,  to  introduce  new  evidence  and 
new  matter,  and,  in  large  measure,  to  reargue  the 
i\  mended  Charges  and  Specifications  apart  from  and  with- 
out regard  to  the  argument  of  the  accused  ;  in  that  (1)  he 
introduced  new  evidence  without  the  permission  of  Pres- 
bytery, and  without  notification  to  the  accused,  as 
follows:  Henry  B.  Smith's  Introduction  to  Christian 
Theology;  Henry  B.  Smith's  Sermon  on  Inspiration; 
Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Review,  1892  ;  Article  in  the 
Congregationalist,  February  21,  1889  ;  John  Ball's  Cate- 
chism ;  The  Bible  Doctrine  of  Inspiration  ;  Farrar's  Life 
of  St.  Paul ;  Homiletical  Review,  May,  1891 ;  Westcott's 
Introduction  to  the  Gospels  ;  D' Aubigne's  History  of  the 

455  Reformation  ;  Life  of  Calvin,  chap.  IV.  ;  and  also  a  con- 
siderable number  of  extracts  from  the  works  of  Luther 
and  Calvin.  (2)  In  that  he  introduced  new  matter,  as,  for 
example,  an  argument  on  the  metaphysical  categories 
from  the  usage  of  Aristotle  and  Kant ;  an  argument  from 
the  use  of  the  Old  Testament  by  Christ  and  his  Apostles  ; 
an  argument  from  the  dynamic  theory  of  inspiration  ;  an 
argument  from  the  stress  laid  upon  single  words  of  the 
Old  Testament  by  New  Testament  writers.  (3)  In  that 
he  argued  in  more  than  three-fourths  of  his  argument 
against  the  statements  of  the  Inaugural  Address,  the  re- 
sponse to  the  Original  Charges,  the  lectures  on  the  Bible, 
the  Church  and  the  Reason,  and  the  other  writings  of  the 
accused,  and  in  not  more  than  one-fourth  of  it  was  it  an 
effort  in  rebuttal  of  the  argument  of  the  accused,  viz.  : 
Stenographical  Report  (a)  pp.  1120-1126,  as  far  as  ''It 
is  of  the  utmost  importance,"  (b)  p.  1131,  beginning  with 
"Dr.  Briggs'  Argument,"  as  far  as  "It  is  not  our  faith," 
1 133  ;  {c)  p.  1136,  as  far  as  "  through  the  Word  of  God," 
p.  1137 ;  (d)  the  reference  to  Isaiah  viii.,  20,  on  p.  1141 ; 

456  (^)  and  to  I.  John  v.,  10,  on  pp.  1144-1145  ;  (/)  pp.  1147- 
1152,  as  far  as  "  We  are  not  raising  the  question"  ;  {g) 
a  brief  allusion  to  my  interpretation  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  I.,  1,  on  p.  1163  ;  (h)  a  brief  reference  to  passages 
cited  by  me  from  Luther,  on  p.  1181 ;  (/)  and  to  passages 
cited  by  me  from  Calvin,  pp.  1185-1186  ;  and  of  these,  (c), 


125 

{d)  and  (/)  may  have  been  written  in  view  of  the  evidence 
adduced  in  the  Bible,  the  Church,  and  tlie  Reason,  before 
the  delivery  of  the  argument  for  the  defense. 

Dr.  Lanipe,  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee,  now  contin- 
ued his  argument. 

At  twenty-five  minutes  of  four  an  intermission  of  a  few 
minutes  was  taken,  when  Dr.  Lampe  continued  until 
recess. 

Under  the  rule  and  by  unanimous  consent  the  follow- 
ing were  excused  for  a  part  of  to-day's  session  :  Rev.  W. 
W.  Atterbury  and  Elders  J.  E.  Ware  and  Andrew 
Hobinson.  The  Rev.  A.  W.  Halsey  was  also  excused 
for  w  part  of  to-morrow. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  as  far  as 
written,  Presbytery  took  a  recess. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Olerk. 


New  York,  22nd  December,  1892. 
Scotch  Church,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  after  Recess   and    was    opened    with  457 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Mod'r. ;  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Saml.  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W  Wallace  Atterbury,  Fred  G.  Beebe, 
Nicholas  Bj erring,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Saml,  Bowden, 
Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan, 
James  Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira 
S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant, 
Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards, 
Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing, 
Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd, 
Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Ch.  R.  Gillett,  Henri  L. 
Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm. 
R.  Harshaw,  Thos.  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitchcock, 
James  H.  Hoadley,   James  Hunter,   Saml.  M.  Jackson, 


126 

A.  T>.  Lawrence  Jewett,  Josej)li  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King, 

458  A.  Dunlop  King,  Joseph  J.  Lampe,  Tlieo.  Leonliard, 
Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz, 
Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling, 
Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alexander  H. 
McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  McMillan,  Horace  Gr. 
Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C. 
Nightingale,  Gfeo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H. 
Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  Ed.  P. 
Payson,  Geo.  S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard, 
J.  S.  Ramsay,  Daniel  R-edmon,  Ch.  S.   Robinson,  Stealy 

B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliifson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Joseph 
Sanderson,  Jos.  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom 
Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  W.  M.  Smithy 
Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Ch.  A.  Stoddard,  J.  F.  Sutton,  Alex.  W. 
Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J. 
Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Marvin 
R.  Yincent,  Fred.  E.  Yoegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott 
L.  R.  Waite,  W.Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine 
N.  AVhite,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  AVylie. 

459  Elders — James  Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux, 
Brick  ;  Alex.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Cen- 
tral ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East 
Harlem  ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene 
McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth  ;  Geo.  E. 
Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ; 
Saml.  H.  Willard,  Harlem ;  Jos.  Moorhead,  Knox  ;  Ch. 
H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square  ;  Robert  Johnson,  First 
Morrisania ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King, 
North ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware, 
Phillips ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
Riverdale ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  ;  Robert  Hous- 

460  ton,  Scotch  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh ;  C.  E.  Garey, 
Tremont ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ;  Thomas 
Bond,  University  Place  ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Taberna- 
cle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights ;  Robert 
Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richard  Drum- 
mond,  Westminster. 


127 

After  the  calling  of  the  roll  Dr.  Briggs  took  exception 
to  a  portion  of  the  proceedings  of  yesterday,  as  follows, 
viz.: 

I  beg  leave  to  take  exception  to  that  part  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  yesterday  recorded  in  the  stenographical  re- 
port, which  permitted  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lampe,  arguing  in 
behalf  of  the  Prosecution,  under  the  cloak  of  a  rebuttal, 
to  introduce  new  evidence,  and  new  matter,  and  in  large 
measure  to  reargue  the  Amended  Charges  and  Specifica- 
tions, apart  from  and  without  regard  to  the  argument  of 
the  accused  ;  in  that  (1)  he  introduced  new  evidence  with- 
out the  permission  of  Presbytery  and  without  notifi- 
cation to  the  accused,  as  follows  : 

John  Goodwin's  Divine  Authority  of  the  Scriptures,  4^1 
Capel' s  Remains,  Matthew  Poole's  Commentary,  Baxter's 
Reasons  of  the  Christian  Religion,  Chillingworth's  Works, 
Vol.  1  ;  Henry  Hammond's  Paraphrases,  Lightfoot's 
Difficulties  of  Scripture,  Timothy  D wight's  Sermons, 
Jonathan  Dickinson's  Sermons,  Samuel  Davies's  Sermons, 
Jonathan  Edwards's  Works,  S.  S.  Smith's  Principles  of 
Natural  and  Revealed  Religion,  Sprague's  Annals, 
McWhorter's  Sermons,  Witherspoon's  Works,  Ashbel 
Green's  Lectures  on  the  Shorter  Catechism,  Archibald 
Alexander's  Canon,  Gardiner's  Spring's  Bible  not  of  Man, 
Albert  Barnes's  Commentaries,  Skinner's  Discussions  in 
Theology,  Augustine's  Letters,  Bibliotheca  Sacra,  1892, 
Liddon's  Divinity  of  our  Lord. 

(2)  In  that  he  introduced  new  matter,  as  for  example  : 
An  argument  on  verbal  inspiration  and  dictation  ;  an 
argument  against  an  errant  Bible  ;  an  argument  against 
a  statement  of  the  Response  ;  an  argument  against  ration- 
alistic critics  ;  an  argument  from  predictive  prophecy ;  an  462 
argument  against  the  theory  of  accommodation  ;  an  argu- 
ment against  the  erranc}^  of  Jesus. 

(3)  In  that  he  argued  in  more  than  two-thirds  of  his 
argument  against  the  statements  of  the  Inaugural  Address, 
the  Response  to  the  Original  Charges,  the  lectures  on  the 
Bible,  the  Church  and  the  Reason,  and  the  other  writings 


128 

of  the  accused,  and  in  not  more  than  one- third  of  it  can 
be  recognized  as  an  effort  in  rebuttal  of  the  argument  of 
the  accused,  and  in  this  jiart  the  argument  can  be  con- 
sidered as  rebuttal  only  in  so  far  as  the  argument  for  the 
defense  included  certain  portions  of  "  the  Bible,  the 
Church,  and  the  Reason,"  and  all  of  this,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  two  lines,  "  This  is  substantially  the  view  of 
Dr.  Briggs,  as  shown  by  the  documents  put  in  your  hands 
by  him"  (p.  1241,  stenographer's  report);  and  possibly 
of  these  also  was  probably  composed  before  the  delivery 
of  the  argument  for  the  defense,  for  there  is  no  other 
reference  to  that  argument  in  the  argument  of  Dr.  Lampe 
of  yesterday. 

463  -^t  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Briggs  it  was  resolved  that 
Dr.  Lampe  have  power  to  incorporate  in  the  stenograph- 
er's notes  his  printed  argument  as  presented  to  the  house, 
including  the  portions  not  spoken  to  the  Court,  for  the 
purj^ose  of  saving  time. 

Dr.  Lnmpe  concluded  his  argument. 

Under  the  rule  and  by  unanimous  consent  Dr.  Jewett 
was  excused  for  absence  from  the  session  of  Wednesday. 

Elder  A.  P.  Ketcham  was  also  excused  from  attendance 
at  the  session  of  Thursday. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Presbytery  now  give  the 
defendant  an  opportunity  to  reply.  Dr.  Briggs  was  then 
heard. 

After  an  intermission  of  ten  minutes  the  Moderator 
decided  that  the  hearing  of  the  parties  is  now  closed. 

464  The  Prosecuting  Committee  excepts,  and  asks  to  have 
entered  on  the  record  an  exception  to  the  decision  of  the 
Moderator,  after  hearing  Dr.  Briggs,  and  without  hearing 
the  Prosecuting  Committee  in  reply  thereto,  that  the 
hearing  of  the  parties  is  closed. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  made  the  following 
report,  which  was  on  motion  adopted. 

1.  That  when  the  parties  have  been  heard  the  Presby- 
tery adjourn  to  the  Lecture  Room. 

2.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  requested  to  submit  to  the 
Court  a  list  of  the  ministers  and  elders  entitled  to  vote. 


129 

3.  That  tickets  of  admission  be  issued  to  members  of 
the  Court. 

It  was  resolved  that  all  the  names  that  are  in  question 
be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Leave  of  Absence,  and  that 
they  report  to  the  Court  on  reassembling.  The  names  in 
question  presented  were  the  Eev.  Messrs.  John  R.  Pax- 
ton,  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  Wm.  G.  T.  Shedd,  Charles 
H.  Parkhurst,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood  and  Charles  H.  Tyn- 
dall  and  Elder  Moses  P.  Brown. 

The  time  was  extended  for  half  an  hour. 

For  the   orderly  conduct   of  the  Court  in  taking  the  465 
vote,  a  paper  was  presented,  and  on  motion  laid  on  the 
table  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Court. 

It  was  now  resolved  to  take  a  recess  until  next  Wed- 
nesday, at  2  p.  M. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  as  far  as 
written,  and  prayer,  Presbytery  took  recess. 

S.  D.  Alexajstdek, 

Stated  Clerk. 


Lecture  Room, 
Scotch  Church,  December  28,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Present :  Ministers— John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator ;  Gfeo. 
Alexander,  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi, 
Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Fred.  G. 
Beebe,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James 
Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S. 
Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant, 
Thos.  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Henry 
B.  Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M. 
Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford, 
Charles  R.  Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  A.  Woodruff 
Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Edward 
W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  A.  D. 
L.  Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop 
King,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C. 


130 

Lowrie,  D.  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mal- 
lery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  EL. 
Mcllvaine,  A.  H.  McKinney,  Alexander  McLean,  Duncan 
J.  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C. 
Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Nortlirup,  Levi  H. 
Parsons,  James  Q.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  George 
S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek,  Hugli  Pritcliard,  James  S. 
Eamsay,    Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,   Stealy 

B.  Rossiter,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Josej)li 
Sanderson,  Joseph  A.  Saxton,  Philip  SchalT,  J.  Balcom 
Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer,  Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M. 
Smith,  William  C.  Stitt,  Charles  A.  Stoddard,   J.    Ford 

467  Sutton,  Alexander  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  Charles 
L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Henry  Van  Dyke, 
Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Frederick  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G. 
Wall,  Abbott  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S. 
Webster,  Erskine  N.  White,  Livingston  Willard,  David 
G.  Wylie. 

Elders — James  Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux, 
Brick  ;  Alex.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary  ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Cen- 
tral ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East 
Harlem ;  H.  Edwards  Rov\^land,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene 
McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth ;  Geo.  S. 
Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue ;  Saml.  L.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ; 
Saml.  H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Jos.  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Ch. 
H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  First 
Morrisania  ;  Thomas  Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King, 
North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phil- 

468  lips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  River- 
dale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers  R.;  Robert  Houston, 
Scotch  ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh ;  Wm.  R.  Worrall, 
Thirteenth  Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ;  Thomas  Bond, 
University  Place  ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle;  Wm. 
A.AVheelock,Washington  Heights ;  Robert  Jaffray,  West; 

C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End ;  Richard  Drummond,  West- 
minster. 

After  the  calling  of  the  roll.  Dr.  Briggs  presented  the 
following  exception  : 


131 

I  beg  leave  to  take  exception  to  that  part  of  the  pro- 
ceedin.2:s  of  the  Presbytery  of  Thursday  last,  recorded  in 
the  stenographical  report,  which  permitted  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Lampe,  arguing  in  behalf  of  the  Prosecution,  under  the 
cloak  of  a  rebuttal,  to  introduce  new  evidence  and  new 
matter,  and  in  large  measure  to  reargue  the  Amended  469 
Charges  and  Specifications  apart  from  and  without  regard 
to  the  argument  of  the  accused ;  in  that  (1)  Dr.  Lampe 
introduced  new  evidence  without  the  permission  of  Pres- 
bytery and  without  notification  to  the  accused,  as  follows  : 

The  Andover  Review,  vol.  xiii. ;  Pepys'  Diary ;  F. 
Hall's  English  Adjectives  ;  F.  Hall's  Modern  English. 

(2)  In  that  Dr.  Lampe  introduced  new  matter,  e.  g.,  an 
argument  from  the  assumption  that  the  ministry  of  the 
word  will  not  continue  in  the  next  world,  and  an  argu- 
ment from  the  assumed  instantaneous  sanctilication  of 
believers  at  the  second  advent. 

(3)  In  that  Dr.  Lampe  argued  for  the  most  part  against 
statements  of  the  Inaugural  Address,  the  response  to  the 
Original  Charges,  the  Article  of  Redemption  after  Death 
in  the  Magazine  of  Christian  Literature  ;  many  of  which, 
such  as  those  referring  to  race  redemption,  the  moral 
character  of  Abraham,  and  the  doctrine  of  election,  were  470 
not  included  in  the  Amended  Charges  ;  and  the  argument 

of  Dr.  Lampe  was  not  in  any  respect  a  rebuttal  of  the 
argument  of  the  accused,  of  which  argument  the  argu- 
ment of  Dr.  Lampe  on  the  Sixth  Charge  seems  entirely 
unconscious. 

(4)  In  that  Dr.  Lampe  argued  on  the  Seventh  Charge 
of  the  Amended  Charges  which  the  Presbytery  directed 
the  Prosecution  to  remove  from  the  list  of  Charges. 

(5)  In  that  Dr.  Lampe  argued  that  the  accused  was 
''under  the  influence  of  a  philosophical  principle  of 
Naturalism,"  a  matter  not  included  in  the  Charges. 

The  Committee  on  Leave  of  Absence  reported  as  di- 
rected at  the  last  meeting,  whereupon  Dr.  Ellin  wood,  by 
consent  of  the  parties  and  the  house,  was  allowed  to  sit 
in  the  Court. 


132 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  for  the  taking 
of  the  vote  : 
Order  of  Procedure : 

471  I.  When  the  Court  has  gone  into  private  session,  mem- 
bers who  desire  shall  have  three  minutes  in  which  to  ex- 
press their  opinion  on  the  case,  the  roll  shall  be  called  in 
alphabetical  order,  and  members  not  desiring  to  speak 
shall  not  have  the  privilege  of  giving  their  time  to  others. 

2.  When  the  opinions  have  been  given  the  vote  on  the 
Charges  and  Specifications  shall  be  taken  without  debate, 
in  the  following  order  :  (1)  The  vote  on  each  Charge  and 
its  Specification  shall  be  at  one  roll  call ;  (2)  Each  mem- 
ber shall  vote  (1)  on  the  Specifications,  and  (2)  on  the 
Charge  in  its  several  items,  the  vote  on  each  being  "  sus- 
tained" or  '*not  sustained." 

3.  Following  the  vote  a  Committee  of  three  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Moderator  to  bring  in  the  result  of  the 
vote  and  the  judgment  of  the  judicatory. 

An  intermission  of  ten  minutes  was  now  taken. 

After  intermission  it  was  resolved  that  in  case  the  vote 

472  is  not  concluded  on  Thursday  the  Court  must  convene  on 
Friday  afternoon. 

The  following  resolution  was  presented  and  a  motion 
to  lay  it  on  the  table  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  52  to  67,  viz. : 

The  Court  deems  it  proper  to  declare  that  a  vote  by  any 
member  of  this  Court  not  to  sustain  the  charges  preferred 
against  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  does  not  denote 
approval  of  his  theological  or  critical  views  or  of  the 
manner  in  which  they  have  been  advanced,  but  only  a 
judgment  that  the  specific  charges  have  not  been  estab- 
lished. 

After  discussion  it  was  resolved  that  the  resolution  be 
laid  on  the  table  until  after  the  vote  has  been  taken. 

It  was  resolved  that  we  now  take  a  recess,  to  meet  to- 
morrow in  the  Church  at  2  p.  m.  The  minutes  were  read 
and  approved  as  far  as  written. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexat^der, 

Stated  Cleric. 


133 

New  York,  29tii  December,  1892.  473 

Scotch  Church,  Thursday,  Dec.  29,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  D.  D.,  Moderator  ; 
Geo.  Alexander,  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi, 
Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick 
G.  Beebe,  Nicholas  Bjerring,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel 
Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D. 
Buchanan,  James  Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B. 
Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench, 
Wm.  Durant,  Thomas  Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John 
H.  Edwards,  Henry  B.  Elliot,  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  Wm. 
T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter 
B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R. 
Gillett,  Henri  L.  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A.  W.  Halsey, 
Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thos.  S.  Hastings,  Edward  W.  Hitch- 
cock, James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Samuel  M. 
Jackson,  A.  D.  L.  Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King, 
A.  Dunlop  King,  Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield, 
John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  474 
P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James 
H.  McDvaine,  Alexander  H.  McKinney,  Alexander 
McLean,  Duncan  McMillan,  Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J. 
Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo. 
Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel  H.  Overton,  Levi  H. 
Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  Edward  P.  Payson,  Geo.  S. 
Payson,Yincent  Pisek,  Hugh  Pritchard,  James  S.  Ramsay, 
Daniel  Redmon,  Charles  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B.  Rossiter, 
Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Joseph  Sanderson,  Jos. 
A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer, 
Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Wm.  C.  Stitt,  Charles 
A.  Stoddard,  J.  F.  Sutton,  Alexander  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L. 
Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson,  Henry 
M.  Tyndall,  Henry  VanDyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  Fred. 
E.  Yoegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  A.  L.  R.  Waite,  W.  Scott 
Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  E.  N.  White,  Livingston 
Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 


134 

Elders— James  Tompkins,  Bethany ;  Alex.  P.  Ketcliam, 
Calvary ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  Brick  ;  AVm.  Mickens,  Cen- 
tral ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East 

475  Harlem  ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue  ;  Eugene 
McJimpsey,  First ;  John  Mc William,  Fourth ;  Geo.  E. 
Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Samuel  H.  Willard,  Harlem  ; 
Jos.  Moorhead,  Knox ;  Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison 
Square ;  Robert  Johnson,  First  Morrisania ;  Thos. 
Anderson,  New  York  ;  G.  C.  King,  North  ;  Henry  Q. 
Hawlej^,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware,  Phillips ;  Geo.  C.  Lay, 
Puritans  ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Riverdale  ;  Wm.  Onder- 
donk,  Rutgers,  R.  ;  Robert  Houston,  Scotch ;  James 
Anderson,  Seventh  ;  Wm.  P.  Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ; 
C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont;  Thomas  Bond,  University 
Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union  Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A. 
Wheelock,  Washington  Heights  ;  Robert  Jaffray,  We:st ; 
C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End ;  Richard  Drummond,  West- 
minster. 

476  After  the  calling  of  the  roll  Dr.  Briggs  presented  the 
following  exception : 

Inasmuch  as  the  Presbj^tery  gave  Dr.  Lampe  "  power 
to  incorporate  in  the  stenographer's  minutes  the  argument 
in  printed  form  as  presented,  including  the  portion 
omitted  in  reading,"  I  beg  leave  to  take  exception  to 
that  part  of  the  proceedings  of  Presbytery  which  per- 
mitted Dr.  Lampe,  arguing  in  behalf  of  the  Prosecution, 
under  the  cloak  of  a  rebuttal,  to  introduce  new  evidence 
as  follows  : 

Alexander,  on  Isaiah  ;  Rawlinson,  in  Pulpit  Commen- 
tary;  Ray,  Introduction  in  Bible  Commentary  ;  Manly' s 
Bible  Doctrine  of  Inspiration,  Hebraica,  , October,  1888  ; 
Prof.  John  Kennedy,  A  Popular  Argument  for  the 
Unity  of  Isaiah,  1891 ;  Prof.  John  Foi-bes,  The  Servant  of 
the  Lord,  in  Isaiah  xL,  Ixvi.,  1890 ;  Rector  F.  Watson, 
The  Law  and  the  Prophets,  Hulsean  Lecture  for  1882 ; 
Prof.  Stanley,  Leathes,  The  Law  in  the  Prophets,  1891 ; 
Very  Rev.  R.  Payne  Smith,  The  Mosaic  Authorship  and 
Credibility    of     the    Pentateuch,    1869 ;     James    Sime, 


135 

F.  R.  S.  E.,  The  Kingdom  of  all  Israel,  1883;  Prof. 
Robert  Watts,  Tlie  Newer  Criticism,  etc.,  1882  ;  Principal  477 
Rainy,  The  Bible  and  Criticism,  1878  ;  Bishop  A.  C. 
Hervey,  The  Books  of  Chronicles  in  Relation  to  the 
Pentateuch,  etc.,  1892;  Bishop  C.  J.  Ellicot,  Christus 
Comprobator,  1892;  Rev.  Henry  Hayman,  D.  D.,  "Pro- 
phetic Testimony  to  the  Pentateuch,"  Bib.  Sac,  1892; 
Pastor,  Tr.  Roos,  Die  Geschichtlinckett  des  Pentateuchs, 
1883  ;  Adolph  Zahn,  Das  Deuteronomium,  1890 ;  Eduard 
Bohl,  Zum  Gassetz  und  Zum  Zeugniss,  1883 ;  Pastor  G. 
Schumann,  Die  Wellhausenische  Pentateuchthe,  1892 ; 
R.  S.  Poole,  "Date  of  the  Pentateuch,  Theory  and 
Facts,"  Cont.  Review,  1887;  Conder,  "  Ancient  Men  and 
Modern  Critics,"  Cont.  Review,  1887;  Edersheim,  Pro- 
phecj^  and  History  in  Relation  to  the  Messiah,  Warburten 
Lectures,  1880-1884;  Waller,  "  Is  Genesis  a  Compilation  ? " 
Theological  Monthly,  1891;  Pastor  Naumann,  "Das 
Erste  Buch  der  Bible,"  1890;  Prof.  William  H.  Green, 
Moses  and  the  Pentateuch  Vindicated ;  Prof.  E.  Cone 
Bissell,  The  Pentateuch ;  Vos,  Mosaic  Origin  of  the 
Pentateuch  Codes,  1886 ;  Stebbins,  A  Study  of  the 
Pentateuch,  1881 ;  S.  C.  Bartlett,  Sources  of  History  in 
the  Pentateuch,  Stone  Lectures,  1882  ;  Rabbi  I.  M.  Wise,  478 
Pronaos  to  Holy  Writ,  1891 ;  Lias,  "  Wellhausen  on  the 
Pentateuch,"  in  the  Theological  Review. 

At  the  request  of  the  Stated  Clerk  the  Rev.  Thomas  G. 
Wall  was  appointed  to  him  in  taking  the  vote. 

After  the  calling  of  the  roll  Dr.  Sutton  moved  that  the 
members  of  the  Faculty  and  the  Trustees  of  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  who  may  be  members  of  the  Court,  and 
the  Librarian  of  the  Seminary,  and  such  other  members 
who,  as  editors  and  publishers,  have  recorded  their  views 
on  this  case  before  this  Court  was  convened,  be  deemed 
incompetent  to  sit  and  vote  in  this  case  because  on  the 
ground  of  personal  interest  in  the  result. 

The  Moderator  decided  the  motion  to  be  out  of  order. 

Dr.  Sutton  ax)pealed  from  the  decision.  The  Moderator 
was  sustained. 


136 

The  calling  of  the  roll  was  now  begun  for  an  expression 
of  the  members  of  the  Court,  under  the  three-minute  rule 
adopted  at  the  last  session. 

At  ^ve  minutes  to  five  o'clock  it  was  resolved  to  take  a 
recess  until  to-morrow  at  2  p.  m. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  as  far  as 
written,  Presbytery  took  a  recess. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  ClerJc, 


New  York,  30th  December,  1892. 
Scotch  Church,  Friday,  Dec.  30,  2  p.  m. 

479  Presbytery  met  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 
Present :  Ministers — John  C.  Bliss,  Moderator  ;  George 

Alexander,  Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi, 
Anson  P.  Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick 
Gr.  Beebe,  Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel  Bowden,  Thomas  S. 
Bradner,  Francis  Brown,  Walter  D.  Buchanan,  James 
Chambers,  Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd, 
D.  Stuart  Dodge,  Conrad  Doench,  Wm.  Durant,  Thomas 
Douglas,  Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Henry  B. 
Elliot,  Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Charles  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M. 
Field,  Walter  B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford, 
Charles  E.  Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  A. 
Woodruff  Halsey,  Wm.  R.  Harshaw,  Thos.  S.  Hastings, 
Edward  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H.  Hoadley,  James  Hunter, 
Samuel  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  L.  Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr, 
Albert  B.  King,  Alexander  D.  King,  Theodore  Leonhard, 
Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie,  Daniel  E.  Lorenz, 
Wm.  M.  Martin,  Charles  P.  Mallery,  Francis  H.  Marling, 
Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcllvaine,  Alexander  H. 
McKinney,  Alexander  McLean,  Duncan  J.  McMillan, 
Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Wm.  L.  Moore,  James 

480  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup,  Daniel 
H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson, 
Edward  P.  Payson,  George  S.  Payson,  Vincent  Pisek, 
Hugh   Pritchard,   James  S.   Ramsay,   Daniel  Redmon, 


137 

Charles  S.  Kobinson,  Stealy  B.  Kossiter,  Albert  Gf. 
Ruliffson,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Joseph  Sanderson,  Joseph  A. 
Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  J.  Balcom  Shaw,  Geo.  L.  Shearer, 
Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  William  C.  Stitt, 
Ch.  A.  Stoddard,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo. 
L.  Spining,  Charles  L.  Thompson,  John  J.  Thompson, 
Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  VanDyke,  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
Frederick  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Abbott  L.  R. 
Waite,  W.  Scott  Watson,  Geo.  S.  Webster,  Erskine  N. 
White,  Livingston  Willard,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — James  Tompkins,  Bethany  ;  Albert  R.  Ledoux, 
Brick ;  Alex.  P.  Ketcham,  Calvary ;  Wm.  Mickens,  Cen- 
tral ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Christ ;  James  McDowell,  East 
Harlem ;  H.  Edwards  Rowland,  Fifth  Avenue ;  Eugene 
McJimpsey,  First ;  John  McWilliam,  Fourth ;  Geo.  E. 
Sterry,  Fourth  Avenue  ;  Saml.  Reeve,  Fourteenth  Street ;  481 
Saml.  H.  Willard,  Harlem  ;  Joseph  Moorhead,  Knox ; 
Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Madison  Square  ;  Robert  Johnson, 
First  Morrisania ;  Thos.  Anderson,  New  York ;  G.  C. 
King,  North  ;  Henry  Q.  Hawley,  Park ;  James  E.  Ware, 
Phillips  ;  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Puritans ;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
Riverdale  ;  Wm.  M.  Onderdonk,  Rutgers,  R. ;  Robert 
Houston,  Scotch ;  James  Anderson,  Seventh ;  Wm.  R. 
Worrall,  Thirteenth  Street ;  C.  E.  Garey,  Tremont ; 
Thomas  Bond,  University  Place ;  Robert  Gentle,  Union 
Tabernacle ;  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Washington  Heights ; 
Robert  Jaffray,  West ;  C.  P.  Leggett,  West  End  ;  Richd. 
Drummond,  Westminster. 

The  roll  was  now  taken  up  where  it  was  left  at  the  482 
close  of  the  last  meeting,  and  the  expression  of  the  opin- 
ions of  the  members  under  the  rule  was  concluded. 

Whereupon  the  Court  proceeded  to  take  the  vote  under 
the  rule  adopted. 

A  few  moments  before  five  o'clock  it  was  resolved  that  483 
the  session  be  prolonged  until  the  vote  was  completed. 

After  which  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Geo.  Alexander  and 
Henry  Van  Dyke,  with  Elder  Robert  Jaffray,  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  bring  in  the  result  of  the  vote, 
and  the  judgment  of  the  judicatory. 


138 

The  final  vote  by  ayes  and  noes  on  page  485. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved^  that  the  members  of  this  Court  desire  to  place 
on  record  its  high  appreciation  of  the  fidelity  and  ability 
with  which  the  Moderator,  the  Rev.  John  C.  Bliss,  D.  D., 
has  presided  over  its  deliberations  in  the  judicial  case 
now  brought  to  a  close.  His  helpful  and  uplifting  pray- 
ers, his  impartial  rulings,  and  the  calm  Christian  spirit 
maintained  by  him  at  all  times,  have  been  invaluable  in 
aiding  to  preserve  the  fitting  attitude  of  the  Court  to 
secure  a  dispassionate  decision. 

The  Court  also  thanks  the  Committee  of  Arrangements 
and  the  authorities  of  the  Scotch  Church  for  the  excellent 
facilities  afforded  for  the  trial. 
484      The  Moderator  made  an  appropriate  reply. 

The  resolution  in  reference  to  those  who  should  vote 
"not  sustain,"  and  which  was  laid  on  the  table  until  the 
vote  should  be  taken,  was  now  taken  up  and  referred  to 
the  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in  the  vote  and  judg- 
ment of  the  Court. 

It  was  resolved  that  when  we  take  a  recess  we  do  so  to 
meet  in  this  house  on  Monday,  January  9th,  at  2  P.  M. 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  as  far  as 
written,  Presbytery  took  a  recess. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Clerk, 


139 


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158 
New  York,  9tli  January,  1893. 

494  Lecture  Room,  Scotch  Ciiuecii,  2  p.  m. 

Presbytery  met  after  recess,  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

Present :  Ministers— J.  C.  Bliss,  Moderator,  Geo.  Alex- 
ander, Samuel  D.  Alexander,  Antonio  Arreghi,  Anson  P. 
Atterbury,  W.  Wallace  Atterbury,  Frederick  G.  Beebe, 
Robert  R.  Booth,  Samuel  Bowden,  Thomas  S.  Bradner, 
Francis  Brown,  Walter  B.  Buchanan,  James  Chambers, 
Edward  L.  Clark,  John  B.  Devins,  Ira  S.  Dodd,  D.  S. 
Dodge,  Conrad  Doencli,  Wm.  Durant,  Thos.  Douglas, 
Howard  Duffield,  John  H.  Edwards,  Henry  B.  Elliot, 
Wm.  T.  Elsing,  Ch.  P.  Fagnani,  Henry  M.  Field,  Walter 
B.  Floyd,  Jesse  F.  Forbes,  Herbert  Ford,  Charles  R. 
Gillett,  Henri  Grandlienard,  James  Hall,  Wm.  R.  Har- 
shaw,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  Ed.  W.  Hitchcock,  James  H. 
Hoadley,  James  Hunter,  Samuel  M.  Jackson,  A.  D.  L. 
Jewett,  Joseph  R.  Kerr,  Albert  B.  King,  A.  Dunlop  King, 
Theodore  Leonhard,  Milton  S.  Littlefield,  John  C.  Lowrie, 
Daniel  E.  Lorenz,  Wm.  M.  Martin,  Ch.  P.  Mallery, 
Francis  H.  Marling,  Henry  T.  McEwen,  James  H.  Mcll- 
vaine,  Alex.  H.  McKinney,  Alex.  McLean,  Duncan  J.  Mc- 
Millan, Horace  G.  Miller,  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  W.  L.  Moore, 
James  C.  Nightingale,  Geo.  Nixon,  Israel  H.  Northrup, 

495  D.  H.  Overton,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  James  G.  Patterson,  Ed. 
P.  Payson,  Daniel  Redmon,  Ch.  S.  Robinson,  Stealy  B. 
Rossiter,  Wm.  A.  Rice,  Albert  G.  Ruliffson,  Joseph 
Sanderson,  Jos.  A.  Saxton,  Philip  Schaff,  Geo.  L.  Shearer, 
Andrew  Shiland,  Wilton  M.  Smith,  Ch.  A.  Stoddard, 
J.  Ford  Sutton,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  Geo.  L.  Spining,  John 
J.  Thompson,  Henry  M.  Tyndall,  Henry  Van  Dyke, 
Fred.  E.  Voegelin,  Thomas  G.  Wall,  Geo.  S.  Webster, 
Erskine  N.  White,  David  G.  Wylie. 

Elders — James  Tompkins,  Albert  R.  Ledoux,  A.  P. 
Ketcham,  Wm.  Mickens,  Andr.  Robinson,  James  McDow- 
ell, John  Mc William,  G.  E.  Sterry,  Saml.  Reeve,  Saml. 
H.  Willard,  Jos.  Moorhead,  Charles  H.  Woodbury,  Rob- 


«rt  Johnson,  Thomas  Anderson,  Heniy  Q.  Hawley,  James 
E.  Ware,  Geo.  C.  Lay,  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Robert 
Houston,  James  Anderson,  Wm.  R.  Worrall,  C.  E.  Garey, 
Thomas  Bond,  Robert  Gentle,  Wm.  A.  Wheelock,  Rob- 
ert Jaffray,  C.  P.  Leggett. 

After  the  roll  call  was  completed  the  following  protest  495 
was  presented : 

PROTEST. 

The  undersigned  hereby  presents  for  record  his  protest 
against  the  action  of  the  Moderator,  on  the  30th  day  of 
December,  1892,  in  ''The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America  against  the  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Briggs,  D.  D.,"  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  our  Revised  Book  of  Discipline,  Chapter  4, 
Section  28,  states  that  "No  member  of  a  judicatory,  who 
has  not  been  present  during  the  whole  of  the  trial,  shall 
be  allowed  to  vote  on  any  question  arising  therein,  except 
by  unanimous  consent  of  the  judicatory." 

And  lohereas,  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  having  been  ab- 
sent during  six  days  of  aforesaid  trial,  and  not  having 
been  excused,  by  "unanimous  consent  of  the  judicatory," 
for  three  of  those  days  ; 

And  whereas,  Rev.  Edward  P.  Payson  objects  to  the 
said  absentee  being  allowed  to  vote  on  the  final  issue  of 
the  case  ;  the  Moderator,  nevertheless,  ruled  that  his  vote 
should  be  admitted,  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  Churcli 
and  the  interests  of  justice  ;  therefore,  against  this  action 
of  the  Moderator,  the  undersigned  respectfully  enters  his  497 
protest,  ^vhicli  protest  is  emphasized  by  the  following 
considerations,  viz.  : 

(1)  The  gravity  of  this  protest  is  increased  by  the  fact 
that  the  protestant  had  on  two  previous  occasions  (Dec. 
5th  and  Dec.  21st)  objected  to  the  vote  of  Mr.  Mingins, 
on  account  of  absence  from  the  trial,  but  his  first  objec- 
tion had  been  quietly  ignored,  and  his  second  thwarted 
by  the  Moderator. 

(2)  The  gravity  of  this  protest  is  further  increased  by 
the  fact,  that  during  the   protestant' s  statement  of  his 


160 

objection  and  the  reasons  therefor,  on  Dec.  30th  the  Mod- 
erator allowed  strong  and  continuous  hissing  by  the  op- 
position, without  a  word  or  sign  of  remonstrance  on  his 
part ;  all  of  which  tended  to  the  detriment  of  justice  and 
the  deep  disgrace  of  the  judicatory. 

(3)  The  gravity  of  this  protest  is  still  further  increased 
by  the  fact,  that  by  his  ruling  the  Moderator  persistently 
retained  his  seat  in  the  Court  for  Mr.  Mingins,  although 
absent  from  the  trial  during  six  days,  four  of  which 
were  spent  in  lecture  tours,  while  he  promptly  unseated 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  G.  T.  Shedd  for  but  four  days'  absence  from 
the  trial,  and  that  on  account  of  illness,  for  each  and  all 
498  of  which  reasons,  the  undersigned  hereby  respectfully 
presents  for  record  his  emphatic  protest,  as  above  stated. 
(Signed)        Edward  P.  Payson. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  H.  Edwards  and  James  C. 
Nightingale  were  appointed  to  bring  in  an  answer  to  the 
protest. 

They  subsequently  reported  the  following  : 

Your  Committee  deem  it  sufficient  to  state  that  the 
absence  of  Rev.  Mr.  Mingins  was  excused  by  the  Coui:t, 
and  his  name  kept  accordingly  upon  the  roll.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Shedd  and  others  lost  their  membership  in  the  Court 
and  their  places  upon  the  roll,  under  the  rules  adopted 
by  the  Court.  (1)  "That  the  excuse  of  absence  shall 
relate  to  a  positive  and  important  duty ;  (2)  That  it 
shall  not  involve  absence  during  two  consecutive  sessions."^ 

In  the  judgment  of  your  Committee  the  Court  is  satis- 
fied with  the  conduct  of  the  Moderator  in  the  matter 
referred  to  by  the  protestant. 

(Signed)        John  H.  Edwards. 

James  C.  Nightingale. 

499  The  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in  the  result  of  the 
vote  and  the  judgment  of  the  judicatory,  presented  the 
following  report.     The  report  was  accepted. 

The  case  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of    America  against   the    Reverend    Charles  A. 


161 

Briggs,  D.  D.,  liaving  been  dismissed  by  the  Presbytery 
of  New  i York  on  November  4,  1891,  was  remanded  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  1892  to  the  same  Presbytery 
with  instrnction  that  ''it  be  brought  to  issue  and  tried 
on  the  merits  thereof  as  speedily  as  possible.' ' 

In  obedience  to  this  mandate  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  has  tried  the  case.  It  has  listened  to  the  evidence 
and  argument  of  the  Committee  of  Prosecution  acting  in 
fidelity  to  the  duty  committed  to  them.  It  has  heard  the 
defense  and  evidence  of  the  Kev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D., 
presented  in  accordance  with  the  rights  secured  to  every 
minister  of  the  Church. 

The  Presbytery  has  kept  in  mind  these  established 
principles  of  our  polity,  ' '  That  no  man  can  rightly  be 
convicted  of  heresy  by  inference  or  implication,"  that  in  500 
the  interpretation  of  ambiguous  expression  ''candor  re- 
quires that  a  Court  should  favor  the  accused  by  putting 
upon  his  words  the  more  favorable  rather  than  the  less 
favorable  construction,"  and  that  "  there  are  truths  and 
forms  with  respect  to  which  men  of  good  character  may 
differ."  Giving  due  consideration  to  the  defendant's  ex- 
planations of  the  language  used  in  his  Inaugural  Ad- 
dress, accepting  his  frank  and  full  disclaimer  of  the 
interpretation  which  has  been  put  upon  some  of  its 
phrases  and  illustrations,  crediting  his  affirmations  of 
loyalty  to  the  Standards  of  the  Church  and  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures  as  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice, the  Presbytery  does  not  find  that  he  has  transgressed 
the  limits  of  liberty  allowed  under  our  Constitution  to 
scholarship  and  opinion. 

Therefore,  without  expressing  approval  of  the  critical 
or  theological  views  embodied  in  the  Inaugural  Address, 
or  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  expressed  and 
illustrated,  the  Presbytery  pronounces  the  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  fully  acquitted  of  the  offences  alleged  501 
against  him,  the  several  Charges  and  Specifications 
accepted  for  probation  having  been  "not  sustained"  by 
the  following  vote : 


162 


503 


SUSTAINED. 

NOT 
SUSTAINED. 

1 

Iz; 

M 

41 

42 

42 
42 

02 

i 

H 
O 

H 

M 
H 

i 

h5 

< 

EH 

1  Specification, 

2  '' 

•[charge    j^       ;     ; 

17 
17 
17 
17 

58 
59 
59 
59 

55 
54 
54 
54 

15 
15 

15 
15 

70 
69 
69 
69 

II.- 

'1  Specification  .     . 
2 

Charge    {^      ;     ; 

39 

39 
39 
39 

16 
16 
16 
16 

55 

55 
55 

56 
56 
5Q 
56 

16 
16 
16 
16 

72 
72 

72 
72 

f  Specification,    .     . 
^^^'  ^  Charge    \b       *.     ! 

44 
44 
42 
44 

17 
17 
17 
17 

61 
61 
59 
61 

52 
52 

54 

52 

15 
15 

15 
15 

67 
67 
69 
67 

( Specification,     .     . 
I^-j  Charge    )«      ;    ; 

39 
39 
39 

15 
15 
15 

54 
54 
54 

55 
55 

55 

17 
17 
17 

72 

72 

72 

i  Specification,     .     . 
V-j  Charge    {«      ;     ; 

35 
35 
35 

14 
14 
14 

49 
49 
49 

51 
51 
51 

16 
16 
16 

78 
73 
73 

Txj  j  Specification,     .     . 
^^•|  Charge,     .... 

41 
41 

16 
16 

57 

57 

55 
55 

14 
14 

69 
69 

Accordingly  the  Presbytery,  making  full  recognition 
of  the  ability,  sincerity  and  patience  with  which  the  Com- 
mittee of  Prosecution  have  performed  the  onerous  duty 
assigned  them,  does  now,  to  the  extent  of  its  Constitutional 
power,  relieve  said  Committee  from  further  responsibility 
in  connection  with  this  case.  In  so  doing  the  Presbytery 
is  not  undertaking  to  decide  how  far  that  Committee  is 
subject  to  the  authority  of  the  body  aiDpointing  it,  but 
intends  by  this  action  to  express  an  earnest  conviction 
that  the  grave  issues  involved  in  this  case  will  be  more 


163 

wisely  and  justly  determined  by  calm  investigation  and 
fraternal  discussion  than  by  judicial  arraignment  and 
process. 

In  view  of  the  present  disquietude  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  of  the  obligation  resting  upon  all  Christians 
to  walk  in  charity  and  to  have  tender  concern  for  the 
consciences  of  their  brethren,  the  Presbytery  earnestly 
counsels  its  members  to  avoid,  on  the  one  hand,  hasty  or 
over- confident  statement  of  private  opinion  on  points  con- 
cerning which  profound  and  reverent  students  of  God's 
word  are  not  yet  agreed,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  suspi- 
cions and  charges  of  false  teaching  which  are  not  clearly 
capable  of  proof. 

Moreover,  the  Presbytery  advises  and  exhorts  all  sub-  504 
ject  to  its  authority  to  regard  the  many  and  great  things 
in  which  we  agree  rather  than  the  few  and  minor  things 
in  which  we  differ,  and  turning  from  the  paths  of  contro- 
versy, to  devote  their  energies  to  the  great  and  urgent 
work  of  the  Church,  which  is  the  proclamation  of  tlie 
Gospel  and  the  edifying  of  the  Body  of  Christ. 

(Signed)    George  Alexandeh, 
Henry  Van  Dyke, 
Robert  Jaffray. 

After  discussion  Presbytery  took  an  intermission  of 
fifteen  minutes,  at  3  p.  m. 

During  this  interval  Presbytery  met  in  regular  session. 

It  was  resolved  that  40  per  cent,  be  added  to  the  annual  505 
assessment  of  the  churches,  to  meet  the  extraordinary 
expenses  incurred  in  the  trial  of  Dr.  Briggs. 

At  3.15  Presbytery  resumed  its  sitting  in  a  judicial 
capacity. 

Presbytery  now  continued  the  discussion  of  the  report 
begun  before  the  intermission ;  after  which  a  motion  to 
lay  the  second  part  of  the  report  on  the  table  was  lost  by 
a  vote  of  47  to  58.  The  report  was  then  adopted  in  its 
several  parts,  and  then  it  was  adopted  as  a  whole  by  a 
majority  vote,  and  the  Moderator  declared  that  this  be 


164 

the  judgment  of  the  Court,   and    that    it   be   entered 
accordingly. 

506  The  thanks  of  the  body  was  extended  to  the  Committee 
having  in  charge  the  supervision  of  the  stenographer's 
report. 

On  motion,  Presbytery  now  sat  with  open  doors,  when 
the  Prosecuting  Committee  presented  the  following  ex- 
ception : 

As  the  Prosecuting  Committee  find  many  omissions 
from,  additions  to,  and  mistakes  and  errors,  in  the  co^^y 
of  the  stenographic  report  of  the  judicial  proceedings  in 
this  case,  as  furnished  by  the  stenographer,  and  as  the 
Prosecuting  Committee  has  not  had  access  to  the  so-called 
official  stenographic  report  as  corrected  and  amended  by 
the  Committee  of  which  the  Moderator  is  Chairman,  nor 
opportunity  to  compare  the  copy  furnished  to  them  by 
the  stenographer  with  the  so-called  official  stenographic 

507  report,  the  Prosecuting  Committee  therefore  excepts  and 
asks  to  have  entered  upon  the  record  its  exception  to  the 
so-called  official  stenographic  report  being  considered  or 
accepted  as  a  part  of  the  record  in  this  case,  or  as  an 
accurate,  full  and  complete  stenographic  report  of  the 
proceedings  in  this  case  before  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  which  would  entitle  it  to  be  used  upon  the  hearing 
of  the  appeal  in  this  case  in  a  higher  Court. 

The  following  persons  presented  their  respectful  dissent 
from  the  action  of  the  Court  on  the  first  part  of  the  Com- 
mittee's report,  viz.  : 

William  P.  Worrall,  Saml.  Bowden,  Edward  P.  Pay- 
son,  George  Nixon,  Andrew  Shiland,  Abbott  L.  E.. 
Waite,  Levi  H.  Parsons,  Alex.  W.  Sproull,  James  C. 
Nightingale. 

The  Moderator  then  read  the  judgment  of  the  Court, 
whereupon  the  Prosecuting  Committee  presented  the  fol- 
lowing exception : 

The  Prosecuting  Committee  excepts  and  asks  to  have 
entered  upon  the  record  its  exception  to  the  final  judg- 
ment in  this  case  as  now  read,  and  to  each  and  every  part 
thereof. 


165 

After  reading  and  approving  the  minutes  the  Court 
adjourned.  508 

Concluded  with  prayer  and  the  Apostolical  benediction. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Cleric, 


Presbytery  of  New  York, 

153  East  TSth  Street,  New  York. 

May  8th,  1893. 

I  have  examined  the  above  print,  pages  37  to  165,  in- 
clusive, being  a  copy  of  all  of  the  x3roceedings  had  in  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York  in  the  case  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  versus  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.  D.,  from  the  13th  day  of  June, 
1892,  when  the  mandate  of  the  General  Assembly  in  said 
case  was  received  by  the  said  Presbytery,  up  to  and  in- 
cluding the  9th  day  of  January,  1893,  when  the  final 
judgment  in  said  case  was  entered,  as  recorded  in 
Volume  14  of  the  Records  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York, 
and  I  hereby  authenticate  the  same  as  in  entire  agreement 
with  the  records  of  this  Presbytery. 

S.  D.  Alexander, 

Stated  Cleric. 


f 


